Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have taken out four armed militia fighters and recovered several weapons during a swift, coordinated intervention aimed at halting a fresh outbreak of communal violence in Usmanu Village, located in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The operation was triggered after credible intelligence revealed a resurgence of the long-running land feud between the Shomo and Wurkun communities. The tension escalated into armed confrontations that led to the destruction of property, including homes set ablaze as hostilities reignited.
Acting on the intelligence, the 6 Brigade deployed troops to the troubled area to stem the violence and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, the Public Relations Officer of the 6 Brigade, soldiers came under fire immediately upon arrival as armed attackers emerged from the Fadama axis. A brief but intense gunfight followed, during which the troops neutralised four assailants.
A follow-up sweep of the area resulted in the recovery of three dane guns, one fabricated AK-47 rifle, twenty-five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and two motorcycles used by the attackers.
In a twist that highlights the depth of the crisis, a personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was arrested for operating alongside the militia group. The officer is currently undergoing interrogation and profiling to determine the extent of his involvement in the conflict.
The Commander, 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the troops for their rapid and courageous action, noting their compliance with professional rules of engagement. He reiterated the Brigade’s resolve to eliminate criminal actors and sustain security operations throughout Taraba State.
Brigadier General Uwa also assured residents of Karim Lamido and surrounding communities of the Brigade’s firm dedication to restoring long-term peace.
He appealed to locals to maintain harmony and cooperate with security operatives by providing accurate and timely intelligence.
The Nigerian Army urged the public to remain calm as security forces work to stabilise the area. Residents were further advised to report suspicious activities to nearby security formations, with operations continuing under Operation Peace Shield, Operation Lafiya Nakowa, and Operation Zafin Wuta.
What You Should Know
The renewed clashes in Karim Lamido highlight longstanding tensions rooted in territorial disagreements between the Shomo and Wurkun communities.
Government and military authorities have intensified stabilisation efforts through rapid military deployment, ongoing clearance operations, and expanded surveillance across vulnerable corridors.
Joint security operations under Operation Peace Shield, Lafiya Nakowa, and Zafin Wuta are being strengthened to deter reprisal attacks, while community engagement initiatives aim to encourage early reporting, improve intelligence flow, and rebuild trust between residents and security agencies.
