Bandits have killed a soldier, a hunter and a pregnant woman during an attack on Sarkin Yamma village, near the Jeb-Jeb area of Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The attackers reportedly invaded the community on Tuesday night, shooting dead the three victims and injuring another soldier.
The gunmen, who were said to be carrying sophisticated weapons, also abducted several residents during the attacks.
According to reports, the incident happened 11 days after another deadly attack on Binnari town, where more than 60 people, including women and children, were reportedly killed.
The attackers also stormed Ruwan Zafi village, close to Sarkin Yamma, and kidnapped 15 residents, including women and children.
A community leader, Tanko Bobbo Andami, confirmed the incident during a telephone conversation, saying five abducted persons were rescued after soldiers and local hunters engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
He explained that the gunmen escaped into the forest with about 15 other victims after the confrontation.
Andami expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Karim-Lamido, saying residents had repeatedly appealed to the government to prevent criminal groups from taking control of the area.
He called on the Taraba State Government and the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security operations and deploy more personnel to protect communities in the local government area.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, reportedly did not respond to calls seeking comments on the latest attack.
Karim-Lamido has experienced repeated security challenges, including communal clashes and attacks by armed groups, leading to deaths and destruction of property.
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Its location around the boundaries of four states, alongside difficult terrain and poor road access, has reportedly made security operations challenging, allowing criminal groups to exploit jurisdictional gaps.
The latest violence comes after the October 23 attack on Binnari town, where about 60 people were reportedly killed when gunmen opened fire on villagers gathered at a market shortly after Friday prayers.
Although the Taraba State Government has designated Karim-Lamido as an area of particular security concern, residents insist that the declaration must be supported with adequate security deployment to prevent further attacks.
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