Tragedy in Taraba: Fulani Herdsmen Allegedly K!ll Young Farmer in Mongadoso Community Attack

 

In yet another heartbreaking incident that adds to the growing wave of rural insecurity in Nigeria, a 29-year-old man, Sylvester Ojuku, has been tragically killed in Mongadoso community, located within Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State. The attack, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at approximately 1:05 p.m., has left the entire community in shock and mourning.

The gruesome assault was allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen, a group frequently blamed for a rising number of deadly attacks in various parts of the country, particularly in the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria.

Attackers Struck as Victims Returned from Farm

According to reliable reports, Sylvester Ojuku and another resident of Mongadoso, Skina Daniel, had just finished their day’s work on the farm and were walking home when they were ambushed. The attackers, believed to be armed Fulani bandits, opened fire on the unsuspecting farmers without warning.

Sylvester Ojuku was shot and died on the spot. His companion, Skina Daniel, was also shot—suffering a serious gunshot wound to his left leg. The motive for the attack remains unclear, but it fits a familiar and deeply disturbing pattern of violent herdsmen attacks on rural farmers in various parts of Nigeria.

Eyewitnesses said the attack happened so quickly that there was no time for the victims to escape or seek help. Local sources added that many residents now live in fear of venturing too far into the farmlands—an occupation that is their only source of livelihood.

Security Forces Arrive After Attackers Flee

Upon receiving a distress call from frightened community members, a team of security personnel was quickly dispatched to Mongadoso. Unfortunately, by the time the security team arrived, the suspected attackers had already fled the scene—disappearing into the bush, as is common in such incidents.

A resident who wished to remain anonymous told NaijaRush:

“We are not safe. These people come out of nowhere and disappear just as fast. The government must take this matter seriously before more lives are lost.”

The prompt response from security personnel, though commendable, once again raises concerns about the speed and effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing rural violence and attacks in remote communities.

Medical Emergency: One Dead, One Hospitalized

After the assailants had left, community members and security operatives evacuated the two victims to the nearest health facility—a primary health care center in the area. Upon arrival at the hospital, Sylvester Ojuku was confirmed dead. His body was later taken to a morgue, while his grieving family struggled to come to terms with the sudden and violent loss.

Meanwhile, Skina Daniel, the second victim, is currently receiving medical treatment. Doctors are said to be monitoring his condition closely, with hopes that he will make a full recovery.

A health worker at the facility, who preferred not to be named, said:

“We did our best to stabilize Mr. Daniel. He lost a lot of blood but is responding to treatment. We hope he survives this horrific ordeal.”

Community in Fear and Mourning

The killing of Sylvester Ojuku has sent waves of sorrow and fear throughout the Mongadoso community. Residents gathered at his family’s home to offer condolences and express their frustrations with the ongoing insecurity that continues to plague their daily lives.

Local farmer, Hassan Bala, speaking to NaijaRush, said:

“We are tired. Every week, we hear of another person attacked or killed. We can’t go to the farm in peace anymore. If nothing is done, people will stop farming altogether. How will we survive?”

Another community elder added:

“We have cried out to the government many times. We want patrols, we want protection, and we want justice. The life of every Nigerian should matter—whether in the city or in the village.”

Background: Rise of Herdsmen-Farmer Clashes in Nigeria

The incident in Mongadoso is not isolated. It is part of a larger crisis of insecurity that has gripped Nigeria for years. Conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and rural farming communities have become increasingly common, particularly in areas like Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Taraba states.

These clashes often stem from disputes over land usage, cattle grazing routes, and encroachment on farmlands, but have escalated in recent years into full-blown violence, including massacres, kidnappings, and destruction of properties.

Many human rights groups have called on the Nigerian government to take urgent steps to address this ongoing crisis. Critics argue that failure to disarm violent groups, poor rural policing, and ineffective justice mechanisms have emboldened attackers and left innocent villagers exposed.

According to data from the Global Terrorism Index and other security think tanks, Nigeria ranks among the countries most affected by non-state armed group violence, with the Fulani herdsmen crisis listed alongside Boko Haram and banditry in terms of fatalities.

Calls for Government Action and Community Protection

In response to the Mongadoso tragedy, local leaders and concerned citizens are once again calling on Taraba State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to take proactive steps to protect vulnerable communities.

A youth leader in Karim Lamido said:

“This killing should not be ignored. We demand an investigation. We demand security outposts in our villages. The lives of our brothers and sisters cannot continue to be wasted like this.”

Community members also urged government agencies to provide relief and compensation to the families of victims and to improve access to medical care in rural areas that are often neglected and underfunded.

Conclusion: Another Life Lost, Another Cry for Help

The death of Sylvester Ojuku is a painful reminder of how deep-rooted insecurity and government inaction continue to claim lives across rural Nigeria. As Mongadoso mourns, and Skina Daniel battles to recover from his injuries, the need for urgent and long-term solutions has never been clearer.

If peace and safety are not restored to communities like Mongadoso, the implications will stretch beyond local sorrow to a national food crisis, rural displacement, and further loss of trust in state institutions.

As Nigerians everywhere watch yet another family bury a loved one, one question lingers: How many more must die before real change happens?