Security Agencies Convene Peace Meeting as Hunters, Herders Clash in Taraba
Security agencies in Taraba State have stepped in to prevent further escalation of violence in Bali Local Government Area following a bloody clash between members of the local hunters group and Fulani herders that left nine persons seriously injured.
The incident occurred on May 24 in Angwan Kuwait, a suburb of Bali town, after a dispute over access to water. According to security sources, trouble started when Fulani herders attempted to fetch water for their livestock from a public well but were allegedly denied access by a local woman, Mrs. Nater Ayinaorga. A physical altercation reportedly ensued, during which the woman was beaten.
She later alerted the Hunters Association of Nigeria in Bali, whose members responded in what turned into a violent reprisal. The confrontation escalated, with machetes reportedly used during the melee, leaving nine Fulani herders—identified as Adamu Kantu, Haruna Kantu, Abdul Kantu, Sani Kantu, Jibrin Kantu, Umar Kantu, Saidu Kantu, and Amadu Kantu—with varying degrees of injuries.
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The victims were rushed to Alura Clinic and the General Hospital in Bali town, where they are currently receiving treatment. Photos obtained by Zagazola Makama show some of the victims with deep machete cuts to the head, arms, and back.
In a swift response to the incident and rising tension, security operatives convened a peace meeting on Sunday, May 25, at the Bali Divisional Police Station. The meeting brought together Fulani leaders, hunters’ representatives, and local stakeholders, aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peaceful coexistence.
“We are urging restraint and appealing to all sides to avoid any further violence,” a senior security officer said. “The chairman of the hunters association has been arrested and is currently being interrogated. The case will be transferred to the Area Command in Jalingo for proper investigation.”
During the meeting, security officials emphasized justice, transparency, and continued dialogue as critical measures to prevent reprisals. Fulani leaders were assured that no one found culpable would be shielded from prosecution.
Meanwhile, security has been intensified in Bali and neighboring communities, with troops placed on alert to forestall any breakdown of law and order. Authorities have also urged community leaders to step up efforts to foster reconciliation and prevent further violence in a region already plagued by recurring farmer-herder conflicts.
By PRNigeria
