Hundreds of Nigerians have fled to neighboring Cameroon following deadly violence in Mbamnga, Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Residents, mostly women and children from Wuro Geroji, crossed the border after machete-wielding attackers targeted homes in the community, Premium Times reported Saturday.
Community leaders said about 502 displaced people had been registered in Cameroonian border communities, including Ntong, Fa’am Mfe, Nwa and Yang, as of Friday.
Another report said more than 600 Nigerians had crossed into Cameroon, although the figure could not be independently verified.
The violence reportedly began after a fatal confrontation between a cattle herder and a farmer last Saturday.
The dispute later spread, resulting in killings, destruction of homes and the loss of livestock.
Among those killed were an elderly woman, Hajja Mbamnga, and her son, Shuaibu Bammi, who was reportedly killed while trying to protect her.
Local authorities have imposed a 24-hour curfew on Mbamnga and nearby communities to restore order and prevent further attacks.
Security personnel have also been deployed to the affected areas.
Abel Diah, who represents Mbamnga State Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, called for urgent action by security agencies.
“Security personnel should be adequately deployed to protect vulnerable residents, prevent further attacks or violence, and restore confidence among the people,” Diah said.
He also called for “a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation” to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
The Mambilla Plateau has experienced similar communal violence, particularly over land, ethnicity and competition between farmers and herders.
Thousands were displaced during clashes in 2017 and 2018.
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