SAA event in Taraba, Kashimbilla area, Nigeria on Fri 21st August 2026

Three Killed, Three Injured in Clash Between Fulani Families in Taraba

By Zagazola Makama

Three persons have been killed while three others sustained serious injuries following a violent clash between members of two Fulani families in the Kashimbilla bush area of Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, following a dispute between the families of Musa and Chonkal over alleged theft of food items in their bush settlement.

According to a police source, the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Takum Division, by the Taraba State Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Ya’u Barewa. The police source said the DPO immediately led a team of detectives to the scene, where three persons were found dead and subsequently confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

The deceased were identified as Usman Musa, 30; Sule Musa, 27; and Mahammadu Chonkal, 28, all Fulani from Kyanwe Bush, Bete Ward, Takum. Three other persons identified as Sale Musa, 25; Kabiru Musa; and Suleiman Kabiru sustained severe injuries and were evacuated to a hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Preliminary police investigation revealed that the violence began after members of the Musa family accused the Chonkal family of stealing their foodstuff stored at their bush settlement. The disagreement reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation, during which Mahammadu Chonkal allegedly picked up a firearm and shot Sule Musa. Although Sule Musa initially sustained what police described as bullet bruises around his armpit, the confrontation continued.

A member of the Musa family subsequently attacked Chonkal with a machete, cutting his face. Before he collapsed and died, Chonkal allegedly fired another shot, hitting Sule Musa in the forehead and killing him. The injured victims reportedly told the police that an individual identified as Alhaji Chonkal picked up the firearm and fled into the bush.

However, an AK-47 rifle was subsequently recovered from the bush close to the scene of the incident. The recovered rifle had breech number 360235 marked on the dust cover and 21197 on the cocking handle, according to the police.

Police personnel secured the scene, took photographs and evacuated the injured victims for medical treatment. The corpses of the deceased were later released to their relatives on demand for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. The police said investigation has commenced and the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation. Efforts are expected to focus on establishing the full circumstances surrounding the clash, recovering any other weapons involved and identifying those responsible for the deaths and injuries.