Kefas Declares Taraba LG a High-Priority Security Zone

Table of Contents

1. Declaration of Special Security Area
2. Background of Insecurity
3. Enhanced Security Measures
4. Judicial Commission of Inquiry
5. Government Commitment to Peace

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has designated the Karim-Lamido local government council as a “Special Area of Security Concern.”

This action comes in response to ongoing violence and escalating insecurity throughout the region.

The announcement was made on Friday in Jalingo, through Executive Order No. 1 of 2026, as part of the state government’s initiatives to restore peace, safeguard lives and property, and foster an environment conducive to economic and social activities.

As stated in an official press release, this decision was driven by recurrent communal clashes, banditry-related assaults, and violent disputes between farmers and herders within the Karim-Lamido area.

Government and security evaluations suggest that this instability poses a significant threat not only to the local government but also to the overall peace and development of Taraba State.

Karim-Lamido has faced prolonged security issues in recent years, including assaults on civilians and security forces, destruction of farmland and property, and the displacement of residents. In 2025, renewed violence in the region led to multiple fatalities, including the deaths of soldiers assigned to restore order.

With this special security designation, the state government is authorized to implement enhanced security strategies. These measures include deploying additional security personnel to identified hotspots and formally registering and coordinating community vigilante groups, hunters, and local defense organizations under the oversight of the Taraba State Marshals Security Guard.

The governor has also increased high-level security meetings and consultations with key stakeholders to tackle the root causes of insecurity, such as unemployment, land disputes, and intercommunal tensions.

In addition to security operations, the administration has established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the underlying causes of the Karim-Lamido crisis, including allegations of incitement, property destruction, and loss of lives. The commission is expected to propose recommendations for accountability, reconciliation, and long-term peacebuilding.

Furthermore, committees focused on land use and conflict prevention have been formed to address ongoing land-related disputes and mitigate resource-based conflicts.

Governor Kefas reaffirmed the government’s dedication to peace and inclusive governance, emphasizing that acts of violence will not be tolerated. He urged residents to collaborate with security agencies, adhere to lawful security measures, and participate in community peace initiatives.

This declaration is anticipated to attract increased attention and resources to Karim-Lamido, combining security enforcement with legal and social interventions aimed at restoring stability and allowing displaced residents to safely return to their communities.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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