At least one soldier has been killed and two others are missing after gunmen attacked Nigerian Army troops escorting farmers in Takum Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State.
The attack occurred on Monday in a bush area of Takum, a region prone to clashes involving local militia, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region.
According to reports, Truthlive news media gathered that Security sources had told Makama that soldiers from a special forces unit, accompanied by police officers, were deployed to protect Tiv farmers harvesting their crops when they were ambushed by suspected militia members.
The soldiers had been tasked with cordoning off the venue of the Miyetti Allah executives’ election at FGR Samsokwa Hall in Takum. Several male officials of the association were arrested during the operation, though it remains unclear if they were directly involved in the attack.
This incident follows a series of violent attacks by militia groups in Taraba State. On 10 December, at least 17 people were killed when suspected Jukun militia attacked returning internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Tse Ajogo village, Wukari LGA. Eight others were injured, and seven houses were set ablaze.
Local authorities have urged vigilance as investigations continue.