Suspected Youths Burn 18 Houses in Taraba Village Amid Renewed Tiv–Kuteb Tension

Suspected youths have reportedly set fire to at least 18 thatched houses in Tompo Village, located in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The attack occurred in the early hours of March 9 and was reported by a resident, Zaki Thomas Yamusa, who lives near Army Gate 2.

According to sources, the assailants—believed to be youths speaking the Kuteb language—stormed the village around 1:00 a.m. and set ablaze houses belonging to Tiv residents who had recently returned to the community.

Tompo Village had reportedly been abandoned following a long-standing communal crisis between Tiv and Kuteb communities that began in 2006 and persisted for several years.

However, in 2026, Tiv residents were said to have returned to the area after a peace meeting with the Chief of Jenuwa Gida aimed at restoring calm between the communities.

During the latest attack, 18 round thatched houses were destroyed, along with food grains, mobile phones and other personal belongings owned by the victims.

Fortunately, no casualties were recorded.

Police detectives later visited the scene to document the damage and begin preliminary investigations.

Village heads from the affected communities have also been invited by the police as part of efforts to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

Security sources said intelligence gathering has been intensified, while surveillance teams have been deployed to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack.

Authorities added that investigations are ongoing and efforts are being made to ensure the situation does not escalate into a wider communal conflict.