Donga, Taraba State — A brutal attack by suspected bandits in the Tor-Damisa community of Donga Local Government Area has left at least eight people dead, including three Nigerian police officers and a local grassroots security leader.
The incident, which occurred on the morning of Thursday, March 19, 2026, highlights the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and the persistent risks faced by rural communities and displaced persons.
A Forewarned Tragedy
The attack comes just two weeks after a formal warning was issued by the traditional ruler of the area, HRH Zaki Ugondo Uma. The monarch had alerted authorities that bandit groups were regrouping in the vicinity and specifically targeting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Despite his urgent plea for the State Government to bolster security presence, the bandits were able to carry out this coordinated assault.
Details of the Encounter
According to a statement from the Taraba State Police Command, security forces were responding to a distress call from the Tse Kwe Village area. Led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Donga, a team of regular officers and Special Force operatives moved in to protect residents but were met with heavy gunfire.
The casualties identified by the police include:
• CPL Raphael Danjuma (Killed in action)
• PC Ebenezer Daniel (Killed in action)
• PC Samuel Bawa (Found deceased in nearby bush following a search)
• Nutsa Tyav (60) (Chairman of the Tordamisa Vigilante Group)
In addition to the security personnel, local sources confirmed that four civilians were killed and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the chaos.
Response from Authorities
The State Police Commissioner, CP Betty Enekpen, expressed deep grief over the "supreme price" paid by the officers and the vigilante member. While the Command insists that security operations have been intensified to track the perpetrators, the incident has renewed fears among locals regarding the safety of farming communities and IDP camps in Taraba.
