Three Killed in Karim Lamido Crisis as Taraba Government Declares Curfew

By Thomas Samuel 

Rising insecurity in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State has prompted urgent government and security interventions, including the imposition of a 24-hour dusk-to-dawn curfew in key communities and the deployment of a high-powered peace delegation.

The Taraba State Police Command has finalized plans to deploy a special squad of Mobile Police (MOPOL) to the area to tackle the activities of gunmen and other criminal elements causing fear among residents. 

In an interview, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Victor Mshelizah, disclosed that the command is responding to a disturbing wave of attacks that recently claimed three lives. He added that the police will soon pay a special visit to the local government to assess the security situation on ground and map out comprehensive strategies to restore normalcy.

Mshelizah appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that effective policing is a collective responsibility. “Policing work is more than one man’s affairs,” he said.

Curfew Declared

On June 5, 2026, the Chairperson of Karim Lamido Local Government Council, Virginia Baba Bambur, announced a 24-hour dusk-to-dawn curfew in Karim town and Didango community. The directive took immediate effect and is aimed at containing the escalating crisis. 

Students sitting for the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations have been exempted from the restriction for their convenience. All security agencies — including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, and others — have been directed to fully comply with the curfew to stem the insecurity.

High-Powered Delegation Heads to Crisis Zone

Later on the same day, a high-powered delegation left Jalingo for Karim town to broker peace and assess the security atmosphere. The team is led by:

- Chairperson Virginia Baba Bambur

- Commanding Officer, 114 Battalion, Jimlari

- Taraba State Commissioner of Police

- Key leaders from the Karimjo and Wurkum communities

The delegation’s visit follows renewed clashes in different locations within the local government, resulting in several deaths, destruction of properties, and the displacement of residents who are fleeing their homes in fear. 

Correspondents on ground report that many residents, particularly in the administrative headquarters and surrounding villages, have been seen packing their belongings and deserting the area. Commercial activities have been severely paralyzed, and normal life has been disrupted.

Security personnel have intensified patrols across strategic locations to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

 Background of the Crisis

The recent surge in attacks by unidentified gunmen has heightened tension and forced many families to abandon their settlements. Residents have expressed serious concern over the lingering insecurity, which has turned daily life into a constant struggle for safety.

Authorities are optimistic that the combined deployment of additional police operatives, the curfew, and the peace mission by top government and security officials will help restore calm and address the root causes of the conflict between the affected communities.

The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as the delegation engages stakeholders on ground. Residents have been urged to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security forces during this period. 

Flooding Hits Jalingo Communities on World Environment Day

Jalingo, June 6, 2026

By Thomas Samuel 

At least two communities in Jalingo, Taraba State's capital, were submerged on Friday as heavy flooding damaged a key bridge and destroyed farmland on World Environment Day.

The flooding resulted from a heavy downpour that began in the early hours of Friday. Major areas affected include the Specialist and Nukkai communities, which have long been identified as flood-prone zones in the city.

Ahmed Ali, a farmer who cultivates vegetables along the riverbank in Nukkai, woke up to find his investment wiped out. "I put money into this farm just a few weeks ago. Everything is gone," he said, appealing to authorities to provide palliative support to affected residents.

In the Specialist community, the flood also damaged a bridge linking Jalingo to a local government area. Commercial motorcycle rider Joseph Nyavo expressed disappointment, noting that the bridge had provided relief after decades of hardship. "It is sad that we are back to square one," he said.

This is the second major flood in Taraba State since the rainy season began barely two months ago, already disrupting the lives of both rural and urban communities.

The Director of the Taraba State Environmental Protection Agency, Julius Mimba, had earlier warned residents living along riverbanks to remain on high alert for possible flooding, emphasising that while the government is working to mitigate the impacts of climate change, citizens also have a responsibility to heed meteorological warnings.

Over the past decades, Taraba State has repeatedly suffered the effects of flooding, particularly in areas such as Karim Lamido, Ibi, Gassol, and Jalingo. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of such floods across Nigeria's Middle Belt to shifting rainfall patterns driven by climate change a crisis set to dominate discussions at COP31 in Antalya later this year.

Taraba State University Begins Five-Day Entrepreneurship Capacity-Building Workshop

 

By Thomas Samuel 

Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, has commenced a five-day capacity-building workshop for its academic staff aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education and enhancing teaching effectiveness.

The workshop, titled "Teaching Entrepreneurship Using Effectuation 2025/2026," is sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and is designed to equip lecturers with innovative approaches to entrepreneurship teaching.

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Reuben Jonathan, welcomed participants and emphasized the significance of the programme. He described the workshop as a vital initiative that would not only improve staff capacity but also benefit students by preparing them to compete effectively with their counterparts in other institutions across the country.

Speaking at the event, the Registrar of the University, Mr. Joseph Bibinu, noted that the institution remains committed to maintaining high academic standards. He called on the Entrepreneurship Unit to continue providing training opportunities for both staff and students to enhance their entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.

Earlier, the Director of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition, Professor Dauda Ishaya Suntai, expressed appreciation to the university management and TETFund for providing the platform and resources to host the programme. According to him, the workshop is aimed at enhancing the capacity of academic staff to improve productivity and effectiveness in entrepreneurship education.

In his keynote address, Professor Innocent Idoko of the Department of Business Administration, Taraba State University, commended the university management and TETFund for supporting the initiative. He urged facilitators to deliver quality presentations that would enable participants to gain practical knowledge and maximize the benefits of the workshop.

Professor Idoko identified poor motivation among teachers and learners, as well as the continued use of rigid and traditional teaching methods, as some of the major challenges facing entrepreneurship education in Nigeria. He highlighted several benefits of teaching entrepreneurship through effectuation, including student-centred learning, enhanced critical thinking, practical skill development, resilience, collaboration, and networking opportunities.

According to him, entrepreneurship education should go beyond the transfer of knowledge to the development of an entrepreneurial mindset that is resilient, adaptable, resourceful, and collaborative.

Some participants, including Julius Clement and Dr. Bomi Olu Ogundiran, expressed satisfaction with the workshop. They described the programme as educational, innovative, and inspiring, adding that it would help participants develop practical business and problem-solving skills.

The workshop featured presentations on topics such as Assessing Entrepreneurial Learning Outcomes: Tools and Metrics for Measuring Students’ Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Mindset, Case-Based and Project-Based Learning for Effectuation Analysis, and Practical Methods of Entrepreneurship Education, among others.

The five-day programme is expected to further strengthen entrepreneurship teaching and learning at Taraba State University while equipping academic staff with modern pedagogical approaches for developing future entrepreneurs.

EFS inaugurates Taraba office, donates sanitary pads, and adolescent girls

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Environmentally Friendly Share bicycle (EFS), an online platform inaugurated an office on Saturday and distributed sanitary pads to adolescent girls in the state.

Speaking at the event, Taraba State EFS Coordinator, Amb. Boniface Koson, said the platform had distinguished itself by delivering consistent rewards and support to members since it began operations in Nigeria in 2023.

According to Koson, the platform was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and SCUML in January 2026, and since then many members in Taraba have benefited from gifts ranging from power banks and water flasks to Android phones, bicycles, gas cookers, bags of rice, stabilisers, freezers, and Bluetooth headphones.

"EFS has distinguished itself from many unstable online platforms by proving to be reliable, rewarding, and genuinely committed to the welfare of its members," he said.

He said that EFS had sponsored social events such as Sallah and Easter dinners to promote unity and a sense of belonging among members.

Correspondent reports that the event also marked the symbolic celebration of EFS reaching one million registered members in Nigeria, represented by the cakes sponsored by the platform.

He noted that as part of its outreach, EFS distributed sanitary pads to adolescent girls in the community. 

"EFS has provided sanitary pads for adolescent girls, particularly those who have begun their menstrual cycle. This thoughtful gesture reflects EFS’s concern not only for financial empowerment but also for health, dignity, and hygiene management within our communities," Koson added.

He emphasised that while the new Shavoh office was a temporary location, plans were underway to move to a larger space to accommodate the platform’s growing membership.

Koson urged guests who were not yet members to join, stressing that EFS offers a platform to improve financial stability and is part of a supportive community.

Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony, chairman of the occasion, Prof. Othaniel Mnyina commended the effort of the platform noting that it is genius and urged nonmembers to key in to it.

"This platform now has an office where you can run to whenever you have an issue, that's to tell you how genius it is," he said.

2027: Taraba North senatorial Aspirant Bandawaire rejects consensus, demands direct APC primaries

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Senatorial aspirant for Taraba North, Hon. Kabiru Bello Bandawaire, has rejected moves toward consensus in the All Progressives Congress primaries, insisting on a direct and transparent process.

Bandawaire made this known on Friday in Jalingo while interacting with newsmen, noted that his priority is representing the people, not the government, and argued that consensus undermines democratic choice. 

Bandawaire questioned why a three-term senator would push for consensus instead of primaries, asking, "What is the fear about? If you opt for consensus in the primary election, what about the general elections? That is not democracy.

"First and foremost, it is not about the government, it is about the people. I am representing the interest of the people, on this issue of consensus, I am not consenting to it at all. All I want is direct primaries, and direct primaries should be under a transparent process. The beauty of democracy is that the majority is always welcome.

"The fillers I am getting are that the governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, needs to do more homework. People are digging a grave for him. I am begging him to please allow direct primaries to go on seamlessly. He should not interfere, because interference will have a negative effect," he said.

Bandawaire while reacting to comments at a recent stakeholders’ meeting that primaries waste resources, he explained that it is the party, not the state government should fund the process. 

He challenged the governor to test his own stance on consensus by asking the incumbent northern senator to step down for him. 

"The party sold forms, we purchased forms. I purchased a form for N20,000,000, likewise other people, so the party has the responsibility to fund its activities, not the state government.

"Since I am not consenting to consensus, let the governor try whether the northern senator will consent to consensus by choosing me, and see whether he will agree. If he is not going to agree, why should I agree?" he said.

Jalingo Catholic Diocese Begins Communication Week with Call for Responsible Media Use

Catholic Church of Jalingo Diocese Rev. Charles Hammawa (photo source: Unitatis Media)

 By Thomas Samuel 

The Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Charles Hammawa, has urged Christians to use technological advancement to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bishop made the call during the opening session of a week-long activity marking this year’s Communication Week.

Bishop Charles said communication is integral to human existence and that its application could either make or mar harmonious coexistence in society.

He said modern-day technology has changed the manner in which communication is created, shared, and consumed, hence the decision by the mother church to set aside a period to reflect and chart a course toward making effective use of available platforms to promote peace, love, and combat hate and misinformation.

In his speech, the Director of Communications of Jalingo Diocese, Abraham Sauman, said the Diocese was observing the week for the first time.

Director communication father Abraham Sauman (photo source: Unitatis Media)

He explained that in the past, the communication unit organized activities to mark the day, but this year the invitation was extended to communication professionals as part of efforts to strengthen the church’s media communication.

“It is within this understanding that the Catholic Church annually celebrates World Communications Day. Instituted by the Second Vatican Council through the decree "Inter Mirifica", World Communications Day invites the faithful to reflect on the role of communication and the media in the mission of the Church and in human society. The Church recognizes that communication is not secondary to evangelization; rather, it is at the heart of the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations,” he added.

Father Abraham further said: “The Holy Father (Pope Leo) reminds us that communication is deeply human and sacred. In his message, he writes: ‘Faces and voices are sacred.’ He further explains that every human face and voice reveals the unique dignity and identity of the person created in the image of God .”

He encouraged parishioners to use the week as an opportunity for renewed commitment to evangelization through communication, adding that: “Through our parish activities, media engagements, workshops, publications, broadcasts, and digital platforms, we must make Christ known to our world.”

Don warns against eroding University standards in Teacher Education Reform

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

A Professor of Mathematics Education at the Taraba State University, John Tyavbee Ajai, has cautioned the Federal Government against reforms that could erode the integrity of university degrees in Nigeria by expanding the scope of degree-awarding roles to Colleges of Education.

In an open letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Dr Draruf Tunji Alausa on Sunday, Ajai said the debate around the proposed Continuous Five-Year NCE Degree structure highlights deeper questions about the future of Nigeria’s tertiary education system, Argued that policy changes must preserve institutional coherence and academic credibility.

He noted that Nigeria’s higher education system was historically built on clear differentiation, where Universities handled advanced scholarship and research, polytechnics focused on technical training, and colleges of Education concentrated on pedagogical preparation through the Nigeria Certificate in Education framework.

"Over time, however, those distinctions have steadily weakened," Ajai wrote. He pointed out that polytechnics now seek conversion into universities, while Colleges of Education run degree programs through affiliation arrangements with universities, blurring institutional mandates.

Ajai stressed that a university degree derives its legitimacy from more than classroom instruction,  andtressed that it reflects participation in a scholarly ecosystem marked by research culture, postgraduate engagement, peer review, and professorial leadership.

"What is less common in mature higher education systems is the long-term dependence on affiliation arrangements in which non-university institutions administer university degree programmes without full institutional integration.

"The deeper challenge confronting teacher education in Nigeria is the need to strengthen the attractiveness and professional standing of teaching itself," he said.

He warned that parallel pathways producing identical degrees under unequal academic cultures could weaken public trust.

Don added that accreditation processes often emphasise procedural compliance over deeper indicators of academic culture such as research vitality, scholarly engagement, and postgraduate activity. This, he said, creates a gap between certificate equivalence and academic equivalence.

He urged the government to strengthen Colleges of Education as centres of pedagogical excellence rather than expand degree pathways without corresponding investment in research capacity, staffing, and governance.

Ajai recommended a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s tertiary education philosophy to restore clearer roles for universities, polytechnics, and Colleges of Education. 

He also called for stricter joint quality assurance frameworks between the NUC and NCCE for institutions running affiliation programs, urged the ministry to initiate a national stakeholder dialogue to develop a coherent long-term framework for tertiary education reform.

"Educational systems are not strengthened merely by expanding access to credentials. They are strengthened through institutional coherence, quality assurance, scholarly credibility, and public trust," he concluded.