Military intensifies peace efforts as Tiv-Fulani clashes resurface in Taraba

Military intensifies peace efforts as Tiv-Fulani clashes resurface in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade has intensified efforts to restore peace in parts of Taraba State following renewed clashes between Tiv farmers and Fulani herders in Bali and Gassol Local Government Areas.

Fresh hostilities between Tiv farmers and Fulani herders have reignited fears of renewed communal violence in Bali and Gassol Local Government Areas of Taraba, despite months of peace efforts by security agencies and community leaders.

Zagazola Makama report that the fresh violence, which erupted near Dananacha at the weekend, left several people dead and others injured after a dispute over grazing in a beni seed farm spiralled into reprisal attacks.

A Tiv farmer had reportedly confronted herders for grazing their cattle on his yet-to-be-harvested crops. Tempers flared, and according to Tiv community leaders, the herders later mobilised and attacked two farmers on their farmland last Saturday.

The victims, who narrowly escaped with machete wounds, triggered heightened tensions. Matters escalated further on Sunday when an 11-year-old Tiv boy was killed in a related attack, sparking reprisals and counter-attacks on the outskirts of Dananacha, about 25km from Bali town. Several deaths and destruction were reported across adjoining villages.

Most of the affected settlements fall within Bali LGA, with spillover violence recorded in parts of Gassol. The Youth President of the Tiv community in the area said that the violence was avoidable, but lamented that disputes over farmland and grazing rights continue to fuel mistrust between the two groups.

Brigade authorities confirmed that Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bali swiftly moved some of its headquarters elements to Dananacha and deployed an additional soldiers to volatile flashpoints to prevent further escalation.

“We have repositioned our troops and temporarily moved our HQ to Dananacha to reassure the people of their safety. Confidence-building patrols are ongoing and the situation has been calm in the past three days,” sources said.

It will be recalled that the Tiv-Fulani conflict in Bali and Gassol first escalated in May and June 2025, leading to deaths in Borno Kuru-Kuru, Tor Baki and Dananacha axis. In response, 6 Brigade organised three separate stakeholders’ meetings between Tiv and Fulani leaders on June 22–23, where peace accords were signed.

Prior to the agreements, troops had conducted sustained patrols across affected communities to check attacks and reassure villagers. However, isolated killings and reprisals have resurfaced, prompting the renewed military intervention.

The Brigade said it plans to once again convene Tiv and Fulani stakeholders for dialogue to reinforce the peace process. “Our commitment remains to ensure lasting peace. We will not allow a return to large-scale violence,” the Commander stated.

The proactive deployment of troops has been instrumental in averting wider bloodshed, but note that sustained dialogue and community reconciliation remain critical to resolving the recurring crisis.

Military presence has restored relative calm, with villagers gradually returning to their normal activities under the watch of security patrols.

For now, calm has returned, but villagers remain on edge, wary that a single spark could once again set off a wave of violence.
End