Catholic Church in Taraba community raises alarm over renewed herders attack in Takum

Published

3 months ago

October 27, 2025

The Holy Family Catholic Parish, Takum local government council of Taraba State, has raised alarm over a series of renewed attacks by suspected herders on several communities in the council.

The renewed attacks, according to the Catholic parish said, have left hundreds of residents displaced and farmlands destroyed.

In a statement made available to journalists in the state on Monday by the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. George Dogo, the church described the situation as “disturbing and devastating.”

He urged the government and security agencies to act swiftly to prevent further violence and avert what he called a looming humanitarian crisis.

According to the parish, the violence began on September 19, 2025, following an attack on security personnel in Aye Twar, Katsina-Ala local government council of neighbouring Benue State, which later spread into border communities in Takum.

Armed herders reportedly invaded farmlands and settlements, destroying crops and forcing villagers to flee.
Communities affected as detailed in a statement by the Fr Dogo include, Dogon Gawa, Tor Gbengee, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa Haba, Jenuwa Gida, Jenuwa Ruwander, Jenuwa Nytsu, Kwari, and Ribasi, where extensive farmland destruction was reported.

In Asuku and Mbakyula villages, two people were said to have sustained critical injuries, while about 150 residents were displaced. Another 200 people reportedly fled Imbor, Mbaaga, Chakera, Hoyoo, Mbayatsav, Genda and Ikyor, and after their farms were razed.

Similarly, Tir-Lijam, Akaajo, Abunde, Akase, Ikyo-Dam and Iortev villages were reportedly deserted, displacing about 560 reaidents. In Ikper, Kur-Hindi, Wombo, Kwaghcia, and Angaha, another 400 people were said to have been forced from their homes after their farmlands were set ablaze.

The attacks, as made known by the church, also extended to Muji I and Muji II, Kwariben, Nzuwaya and Tusun Haake, where large stretches of farmland were destroyed.

In Tarhembe and Tornyi, all farms were burnt, leaving one person critically injured and hospitalised at the General Hospital, Takum. About 402 residents from these two villages were also displaced.
Fr. Dogo, who listed more villages that were recent attacked, urged the relevant authorities to urgently wade in.

“Our people are suffering. Hundreds have been displaced, farmlands destroyed, and livelihoods ruined. We appeal to the government to take swift action before the situation worsens,” he said.
He also called on the state government, security agencies, and humanitarian organizations to immediately reach out to the victims with relief materials.

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Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

Published

2 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

Published

17 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

Published

21 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.