Taraba Facts

By Taraba Facts Correspondent Senator Emmanuel Bwacha has called on the Taraba State Government and security agencies to take immediate action to restore peace and protect lives and property following renewed violence on the Mambilla Plateau. In a press release dated September 18, 2026, titled “Mambilla Plateau: Call for Immediate Action,” Bwacha described the continuing loss of lives and disruption of peace in the area as unacceptable. The call comes amid reports of violence in parts of Sardauna Local Government Area, particularly Mbamnga, Mbara and Geroji communities. The local government had earlier imposed a 24-hour curfew on the affected communities following reports of killings, destruction of property and rising tension.  Bwacha, who cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, said the security and welfare of citizens should remain a primary responsibility of government. He urged the Taraba State Government to restore order and guarantee the safety of reside...

The Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education has visited the College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, following the reported robbery attack on students on September 17, 2026. The ministry said 33 mobile phones were stolen, while about 20 female students were reportedly beaten and one male student sustained serious injuries. Three phones and a cutlass were recovered, but no arrest had been made as of the visit. The ministry recommended stronger security, intensified investigation, urgent relocation of students to safer accommodation and completion of the college’s new hostels. The college also disclosed that the three rented hostels currently occupied by students had reportedly been sold, with a notice to vacate by November 2026.

Scores of people, including women and children, are feared dead after a mining pit reportedly collapsed on illegal miners at Mayo-Kam community in Bali LGA, Taraba State. Residents said more than 20 people may have been trapped, but the police confirmed that five bodies had so far been recovered, with rescue operations still ongoing. The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed. The incident has raised fresh concerns over illegal and unregulated mining activities in the state. Daily Post

Former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman has appealed his 75-year prison sentence for alleged ₦33.8 billion money laundering, asking the Court of Appeal in Abuja to quash his conviction and discharge and acquit him. Following the appeal, the Federal High Court in Abuja struck out an EFCC motion seeking permanent forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to Mamman. The EFCC withdrew the motion to allow the appeal process to proceed, and Justice James Omotosho granted the withdrawal. Mamman’s appeal contains 18 grounds, including claims that his right to fair hearing was violated when judgment was delivered in his absence on May 7, 2026, despite judgment earlier being scheduled for June 9. He also challenged the exclusion of a defence witness, reliance on uncorroborated accomplice evidence, conviction on counts to which he allegedly did not plead, and the finding that funds for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects were diverted for his personal use.

The Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Council in Taraba State, Mohammed J. Umar, has declared a 24-hour curfew in Mbamnga and two neighbouring communities following reported communal unrest in the area. The curfew, which reportedly took immediate effect, covers Mbamnga, Mbara and Geroji communities, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the chairman’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Marvelous Heli. Residents reportedly said tension escalated on Saturday following a reported fatal altercation between a cattle herder and a farmer in the Mbamnga area. The chairman reportedly said the curfew was aimed at restoring calm and preventing further escalation, while assuring residents that the situation was under control. Umar also reportedly said security operatives had been deployed to the affected communities to maintain law and order and protect lives and property. He directed security agencies to strictly enforce the curfew and reportedly author...

Students of the Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Jalingo, were reportedly attacked by armed thieves wielding cutlasses and machetes. The attackers invaded both male and female hostels, injuring some students and stealing at least 18 mobile phones. The incident has raised concerns about student security, especially as the newly built hostel has reportedly not yet been commissioned, forcing some students to live in private accommodation outside the campus. Students and stakeholders are calling for urgent measures to improve security and protect students.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University branch, has issued a final 14-day ultimatum to the Taraba State Government to implement outstanding parts of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement. The ultimatum, which began on September 14, 2026, will expire on September 28. ASUU said it may take lawful industrial action if the unresolved issues are not addressed. The union had earlier issued a 14-day strike notice in August but suspended the planned action to allow the university’s combined convocation ceremonies to take place. ASUU is now urging the government and education stakeholders to act quickly to prevent disruption of academic activities.

The Advisory Committee set up to examine the electricity and transformer dispute between the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) and residents of Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State has submitted its report to the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Davoro K. Titus. The report was presented to the council chairman on Monday, September 14, 2026, following extensive consultations with stakeholders and communities across the local government area. According to the committee, residents of Zing remain willing to maintain a peaceful and cordial relationship with YEDC, but are urgently calling for the restoration of electricity supply to the area. Among its key recommendations, the committee urged YEDC to provide 33kV transformers to address the electricity challenges before removing the existing 11kV transformer. It also called for the immediate restoration of power to the Zing feeder, stressing the need for improved communication betwe...

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has approved the appointment of Professor Demo Joab Usman Kalla as the Vice-Chancellor of the Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology and Climate Action, Gembu. The appointment was contained in a press release dated September 14, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Taraba State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq. Until his appointment, Professor Kalla served as the Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence on Dairy Research and Development at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He also served as a member of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee. Professor Kalla is described as a prolific scholar with extensive research publications in reputable local and international journals. His contributions to the field of Animal Science have earned him recognition within academic and professional circles. According to the statement, Governor Kefas expressed confidence that...