Bandits Kill Soldier, Pregnant Woman; Abduct 15 in Taraba

Bandits have killed a soldier, a local hunter and a pregnant woman in Taraba State. More than 15 residents were abducted.

According to Donjoe Media findings, the attack happened around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. It hit Kuka Sarkin Yamma and Ruwan-Zafi communities in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area. The gunmen came on motorcycles, heavily armed. They opened fire as they entered the villages. People ran in all directions.

The attack did not end with the invasion. Soldiers and local hunters moved fast to chase the gunmen and rescue the abducted residents. That chase turned into a gun battle. In that exchange, a soldier and a local hunter were killed. Another soldier was injured. Five of the abducted people were rescued during the fight. The rest were taken deeper into the forest.

A community stakeholder from Ruwan-Zafi, Tanko Bobo, confirmed the details. He said the bandits picked 15 persons. He said the military and hunters went after them. He said one soldier and one hunter were killed in the process, but a few persons were rescued.

The pregnant woman was killed during the invasion of Ruwan-Zafi. Witnesses said she could not run fast enough. She was shot as the bandits were moving through the community. Her death has hit residents hard. It is the kind of killing that leaves a village in shock for weeks.

Karim-Lamido has been under pressure. This attack came barely 12 days after gunmen killed at least 52 people in Binnari community in the same local government area. That attack was on October 23, 2026. People were still mourning. They thought the worst had passed. Now they are living in fear again.

Tanko Bobo put it plainly. He said everybody is living in fear now. He said they thought the incident of last week had come and gone, but it has happened again. He said they are becoming helpless in Karim-Lamido.

The area is difficult to secure. Karim-Lamido borders other states where criminal gangs operate. The terrain is rugged. Forests are thick. Bandits use motorcycles to move fast through bush paths. They attack, take hostages, and disappear before reinforcements arrive. Local vigilantes try to help, but they do not have the weapons to match the attackers.

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For farmers, this is harvest season. Many are afraid to go to their farms. Crops are left in the fields. When farmers cannot harvest, food becomes scarce and prices rise. The attack is not just about the people killed or taken. It affects the whole local economy.

The Taraba State Police Command had not issued an official statement as of the time of filing. The spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, could not be reached for comment. That silence has added to the frustration of residents who want clear information.

On the same Tuesday, Governor Agbu Kefas visited the newly established 10 Division of the Nigerian Army. The visit was part of efforts to strengthen security collaboration in the state. Residents want that collaboration to translate into more troops on the ground in Karim-Lamido, not just meetings in Jalingo.

Community leaders are asking for forward operating bases near Kuka Sarkin Yamma and Ruwan-Zafi. They want soldiers stationed close to vulnerable villages. They also want vigilantes to be supported with better equipment and intelligence. Without that, they say the bandits will keep coming back.

Security forces are still combing the forests around Karim-Lamido. They are tracking the footprints of the kidnappers. The aim is to rescue the remaining hostages before ransom demands start. Police intelligence is also watching for calls from the gang.

For the families of the 15 abducted residents, the wait is agonising. They do not know where their loved ones are. They do not know if they are alive. They are waiting for any news.

The soldier and hunter who died were trying to save others. Their sacrifice stopped the attack from becoming a bigger massacre. The pregnant woman who died did nothing wrong. She was just trying to escape.

For more on military operations in the North-East, see the https://army.mil.ng/ updates.

By Jonadab Oluikpe
Publish by Donjoe Media