The Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN), an umbrella body for the Kuteb ethnic nationality in Taraba state, has raised the alarm over alleged plots to launch massive attacks on Kuteb communities.
Emmanuel Ukwen, President of the KYN, disclosed this at a press conference on Saturday in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital.
Ukwen urged security agencies to act swiftly to avert the impending attacks and safeguard lives, property, and public peace.
According to him, intelligence reports suggest that unidentified armed groups are mobilising sophisticated firearms and logistics to carry out coordinated strikes in Takum, Ussa, Kurmi, and the Yangtu Special Development Area.
He called on the authorities to take urgent steps to stop the perpetrators, noting that there is no rumour without the iota of truth.
According to him communities marked for the attacks include “Mbiya, Tukwog, T.Y Farm, Muji One, Basang, Kpashimbe, Acha Sarka, Acha Nyim, Tati, Sabon Gida Kuteb, Manya Kumbu, and Gangu in Takum.”
He said further that, “In Ussa, the suspected targets are Kwesati, Kwentam One, Ripaenchin, Kusangsang, Alaha, Kutukwok, Waenja, Tutuwa, Changso, Gafa, Kpambo Puri, Fikyu Nyim, Sati Tsinya, Ukang, and Asiq. Kurmi communities listed include Mubi Toso, Zanaka, Pomango, Rimamnyang Nyido, and Mberogo.”
The group also raised concern over incursions into Yangtu from the Basang axis, targeting farmland and crops in villages such as Tamiya, Bika, Lupwe Kwambai, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa Gida, Jenuwa Kogi, Nyicwu, Ribasi, and Kware.
The KYN President alleged that the motives behind the planned attacks stem from unresolved chieftaincy disputes, land ownership claims, political marginalisation, and tensions surrounding the ongoing voter registration exercise.
He also accused the attackers of seeking to prevent Kuteb farmers from harvesting their crops.
“Intelligence further suggests that the attacks could be synchronised to overwhelm local vigilantes and provoke widespread fear, leading to mass displacement and a new humanitarian crisis.
“Just yesterday (Friday), the violent attack claimed three lives already around the Tati axis,” he said.
He added that the inaction by authorities could result in significant loss of life, mass displacement, and destabilisation along the Taraba–Cameroon border corridor.
The group called on government at all levels to urgently deploy security personnel — including the police, military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and civil defence — to the identified patrol of flashpoints.
Ukem also appealed for better intelligence sharing among security agencies and local vigilantes, as well as immediate community engagement to de-escalate tensions.
He urged the authorities to conduct constant aerial and ground surveillance across the Takum–Ussa–Yangtu–Kashimbilla corridor and to establish forward operating bases in vulnerable communities.
The KYN appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to begin preparing for possible displacement and humanitarian fallout.
He further called for the arrest and prosecution of individuals or groups inciting violence.
“Early, robust intervention by security agencies will not only save lives and property but also reinforce public confidence in the capacity of the state to protect all communities,” he said.
As at press time, the authorities in Taraba were yet to react to the concerns raised by the KYN.
FULL TEXT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE BY UKWEN ON SATURDAY IN TAKUM ON AUGUST 23,2025
Gentle Men of the Press,
It has become imperative to alert relevant security agencies on the alleged intelligence pointing to imminent, coordinated, and potentially large-scale attacks on Kuteb communities in Taraba State. The situation requires urgent preventive action to safeguard lives, property, and public peace.
The Kuteb people are one of the indigenous ethnic groups in Taraba State with historic presence in Takum, Ussa, Yangtu Special Development Area, and adjoining settlements.
In recent years, the region has witnessed violent communal clashes, boundary disputes, and contestations over chieftaincy and land rights. These conflicts have resulted in massive loss of lives, destruction of property, mass displacement, and worsening inter-ethnic relations.
Recent alleged intelligence suggests: Plans are underway by unidentified armed groups to launch massive attacks on Kuteb communities in the coming days/weeks.
The attackers are reportedly mobilizing sophisticated firearms and logistics.
The likely targeted communities include:
1. Takum LGA: Mbiya area, Tukwog, T.Y Farm, Muji One, Basang, Kpashimbe, Acha Sarka, Acha Nyim, Tati, Sabon gida kuteb near manya Kumbu and Gangu.
2. USSA LGA: Kwesati, Kwentam One, Ripaenchin, Kusangsang, Alaha, Kutukwok, Waenja, Tutuwa, Changso, Gafa, Kpambo Puri, Fikyu Nyim, Sati Tsinya, Ukang, Asiq.
3. Kurmi LGA: Mubi Toso, Zanaka, Pomango, Rimamnyang Nyido, Mberogo.
4. Yangtu SDA: They are not resident in any part of Yangtu, but come in from Basang axis in Takum to destroy crops in Tamiya, Bika LupweKwambai, Jenuwa Nyifiye, Jenuwa gida, Jenuwa kogi, Nyicwu, Ribasi and Kware.
The motive appears linked to ongoing disputes over chieftaincy recognition, land ownership, and perceived political marginalization and the ongoing voter registration exercises.
They also want to prevent our people from harvesting their crops.
Intelligence further suggests the attacks may be coordinated to overwhelm local vigilantes and spread fear, leading to large-scale displacement.
High Casualties: Potential loss of many lives if preventive action is not taken. Displacement: Fresh humanitarian crisis with internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking refuge in neighboring LGAs and states.
Destabilization: Threatens security of Takum, Ussa, and the border corridor with Cameroon. Undermining peace.
Authority: Erosion of trust in government and security agencies if no proactive intervention is undertaken.
Just yesterday (Friday) the violent attack has claimed three (3) lives already around Tati axis. See picture of the commencement of the renewed attacks.
In view of the foregoing, we appeal to the government at all levels to:
1. Immediate Security Deployment: Urgent reinforcement of Police, Army, DSS, and Civil Defence to Kuteb settlements identified as flashpoints.
2. Intelligence Fusion: Activate joint intelligence sharing among DSS, Police, Military intelligence, and local vigilante groups.
3. Community Engagement: Convene urgent peace meetings with stakeholders to de-escalate tensions.
4. Surveillance: Constant Aerial and ground patrols along Takum–Ussa–Yangtu–Kashimbilla corridor.
5. Buffer Zones: Establish military/Police forward operating bases in high-risk villages.
6. Humanitarian Preparedness: Alert NEMA/SEMA for possible displacement and humanitarian fallout.
7. Accountability: Arrest and prosecute individuals or groups inciting violence.
The alleged imminent attacks on Kuteb communities should be taken seriously as no rumour should be taken lightly as it requires urgent preventive measures to nip it in the bud.
Early, robust intervention by security agencies will not only save lives and property but also reinforce public confidence in the capacity of the state to protect all communities without bias.
Thank you all.
