February 10, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
Residents of several communities in Taraba State, Nigeria have alleged that armed terrorists took control of villages, killed scores of people, and caused widespread fear and displacement, according to accounts gathered by Dalena Reporters on Tuesday. The claims have drawn attention amid growing concerns about insecurity in parts of the Middle Belt.
Eyewitnesses from affected areas said the attacks unfolded over several hours, with assailants moving through rural settlements and confronting villagers. Several residents reported hearing sustained gunfire and seeing bodies in the aftermath, though exact casualty figures remain unverified.
Local accounts indicate that communities in Kurmi, Sardauna and Bali Local Government Areas bore the brunt of violence. Survivors described how families fled into nearby bushland and surrounding areas to escape the violence, leaving homes and possessions behind.
In a statement released on social media, the Taraba State Police Command acknowledged reports of attacks and said officers were deployed to “affected locations” to restore order and conduct “area dominance patrols.” The police added that they had begun investigations and tactical operations to locate and apprehend those responsible, although detailed official casualty figures were not immediately available.
Security analysts and residents noted that the violence echoes earlier patterns of banditry and militant incursions in parts of northern and central Nigeria, where remote communities have periodically faced attacks that disrupt daily life and basic services. Indigenous leaders emphasised that accurate information remained difficult to obtain in the wake of the raids, and urged authorities to publish verified data on casualties and the status of displaced persons.
The Taraba attacks come amid a broader insecurity landscape in Nigeria that includes kidnappings, communal clashes and armed banditry in multiple states, prompting calls from civil society and community groups for enhanced protection measures and more robust responses from federal and state security agencies.