Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested three suspects allegedly responsible for setting ablaze a residence belonging to a Wurkun resident in Karim Town, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, prompting an immediate military response that prevented what could have escalated into a wider communal crisis.
The suspects—Bitrus Ishaya, Mamman Ibrahim, both from Wudumpi area, and Emmanuel Adi from Step 2—were apprehended at the scene moments after the house was torched. Preliminary investigations revealed that Bitrus and Mamman falsely claimed to be members of the Taraba Marshal, a civilian security outfit, but were unable to provide identification. Emmanuel Adi also claimed to be a vigilante operative, but gave conflicting and suspicious statements during questioning.
According to military sources, their contradictory accounts and suspicious presence at the crime scene raised additional concerns, especially as the area has been experiencing heightened communal tensions in recent days.
The swift response of the troops, authorities said, averted a potential reprisal attack and prevented the situation from degenerating into another round of communal unrest. The suspects are currently in military custody as investigations continue to determine their motives and whether they have links to criminal groups disguising themselves as community security operatives.
Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the professionalism of the soldiers and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to maintaining peace across the state. He warned that anyone attempting to fuel violence or destabilise communities would be decisively dealt with according to the law.
He further urged residents to remain calm and continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities to support the ongoing peace efforts under Operation Peace Shield.
Stone Reporters observed that this latest incident in Karim Lamido aligns with a disturbing pattern of identity impersonation, fake vigilante activities, and opportunistic attacks that have been recurring in parts of Taraba State. In recent months, several security reports indicate that criminals increasingly disguise themselves as members of local security outfits—such as Taraba Marshal or community vigilante groups—to exploit communal tensions for personal or coordinated criminal gains.
This trend highlights a critical gap: the absence of proper identification systems and regulatory oversight for community security structures, which continues to create loopholes for criminal infiltration. The attempted arson in Karim Town appears to follow this pattern, suggesting an organised effort to trigger fear, provoke reprisals, or escalate already fragile community relations.
Furthermore, Stone Reporters observed that while the quick action of 6 Brigade prevented another round of violence, the frequency of such incidents suggests deeper underlying issues, including unresolved local disputes, weak conflict-resolution mechanisms, and the manipulation of inter-community tensions by criminal actors.
The situation calls for strengthened collaboration between the military, police, local authorities, and legitimate vigilante structures to close security gaps, verify identities, and prevent fake operatives from taking advantage of vulnerable communities.
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