Taraba Tiv Women Cry Out Over Killings, Displacement and Looming Hunger Crisis

Taraba Tiv Women Cry Out Over Killings, Displacement and Looming Hunger Crisis

Tiv women from several communities in southern Taraba State have issued an urgent appeal for intervention as ongoing violence continues to devastate lives in Takum and Donga local government areas, leaving families bereaved, displaced and increasingly vulnerable to hunger. Speaking collectively through their representatives, the women described a deteriorating humanitarian situation marked by loss, fear and the collapse of livelihoods in a region once sustained by agriculture.

The appeal, directed to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Agbu Kefas, comes amid reports of sustained attacks on Tiv communities across affected areas. Villages including Adu, Gbundu, Demevaa, Tor-Damisa and New Gboko have been significantly impacted, with residents forced to flee following repeated incidents of violence attributed by locals to suspected armed groups. Many homes have been burned, farmlands destroyed, and entire settlements emptied as insecurity spreads.

Mrs. Msughshima Tersugh, who spoke on behalf of the women, outlined the scale of suffering facing affected families. She described a community pushed to the brink, where widows and displaced mothers are struggling to provide for their children under increasingly dire conditions. According to her, the violence has intensified since October of the previous year, creating a sustained pattern of attacks that has eroded any sense of safety.

“We have lost our husbands, our homes, and our farms. Our children are hungry, and we are uncertain how long we can endure this,” she said, reflecting the depth of despair among those affected. Her remarks capture the human toll of the crisis, where beyond the statistics, families are grappling with trauma, displacement and the daily uncertainty of survival.

Stone Reporters note that the violence has had a particularly severe impact on women, many of whom have become heads of households following the deaths of their spouses. With traditional support systems weakened and access to farmland cut off, these women now face the dual burden of caregiving and economic survival in displacement conditions that offer little stability.

The destruction of farmland has compounded the crisis. In these predominantly agrarian communities, farming is not only a source of income but the primary means of sustenance. The inability of residents to access their land has disrupted planting cycles and food production, raising serious concerns about food security. With the rainy season approaching, the urgency of the situation is intensifying, as missing a planting season could have long-term consequences for both household survival and regional food supply.

“We are appealing to the governor and the President for assistance with security so we can return to our farms. Farming is our sole means of survival,” Tersugh added. The women stressed that without immediate restoration of security, they will be unable to rebuild their lives or sustain their families in the months ahead.

Displacement has further worsened living conditions. Many families have been forced into temporary shelters or are staying with relatives in safer areas, often under overcrowded and resource-constrained conditions. Access to food, clean water and healthcare remains limited, while the psychological toll of repeated attacks continues to affect both adults and children.

Local accounts indicate that entire villages have been razed in some instances, with properties looted or destroyed. The pattern of attacks, according to community leaders, suggests a level of coordination and persistence that has overwhelmed local coping mechanisms. Residents say that despite previous appeals, security presence in affected areas remains insufficient to deter further violence.

The broader context of insecurity in parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, including Taraba State, reflects a complex mix of factors such as land disputes, ethnic tensions and the activities of armed groups. However, for those directly affected, the immediate concern is survival rather than the underlying causes of the conflict. The women emphasized that their priority is safety and the ability to return to their homes without fear.

Humanitarian concerns are mounting as the crisis deepens. The risk of widespread hunger is becoming more pronounced, particularly as displaced families remain cut off from their primary means of livelihood. Aid from government or relief organizations has not kept pace with the scale of need, according to residents, leaving many to rely on limited community support.

There are also fears that prolonged displacement could lead to lasting socio-economic disruption. Children out of school, loss of agricultural productivity and the breakdown of community structures all point to long-term consequences if the situation is not addressed promptly. Community representatives warned that failure to act could entrench poverty and instability in the region.

The women are calling for immediate deployment of adequate security forces to protect lives and property, as well as coordinated efforts to facilitate the safe return of displaced persons. They also urged authorities to implement measures that would prevent further escalation, including improved surveillance and community engagement strategies.

Stone Reporters note that similar patterns of violence in other parts of the Middle Belt have shown that delayed intervention often leads to prolonged crises, making early response critical. In this case, the window for preventing a deeper humanitarian emergency may be narrowing as the planting season approaches and food reserves dwindle.

For the Tiv women of Takum and Donga, the message remains urgent and direct: restore peace so they can return to their farms, rebuild their homes and secure a future for their children. Until then, they remain caught in a cycle of displacement, fear and uncertainty, with each passing day deepening the challenges they face.

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