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Tragedy struck in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State on Saturday as Hon. Shagari Bankakaki, the serving Councillor representing AKate Ward, was shot dead during a violent clash between Tiv and Fulani communities.
The incident, which occurred amid heightened communal tensions in the area, has left residents gripped by fear and panic. According to local sources, the councillor was caught in the crossfire of the escalating violence and did not survive the attack.
Details surrounding the exact circumstances of the clash remain sketchy, but eyewitness accounts suggest the confrontation erupted suddenly, resulting in the fatal shooting of the elected official. The killing has further inflamed an already volatile situation in the region, where farmer-herder disputes have repeatedly led to loss of lives and destruction of property in recent years.
As of the time of this report, security agencies, including the police and other relevant authorities, are yet to issue an official statement confirming the incident or providing details on measures being taken to restore calm.
Residents of Donga LGA have made passionate appeals for urgent intervention by government and security operatives to prevent a further escalation that could spiral into widespread reprisals. Many fear that the death of a prominent community leader like Hon. Bankakaki could deepen divisions and trigger retaliatory attacks.
The tragic killing has once again spotlighted the persistent challenge of communal conflicts in parts of Taraba State, particularly in border areas where Tiv farmers and Fulani herders have long clashed over land, grazing routes, and resources. Community leaders and concerned citizens have called for immediate peace initiatives, dialogue, and deployment of adequate security personnel to avert a major breakdown of law and order.
The late Hon. Shagari Bankakaki was widely regarded as a dedicated representative who worked closely with his constituents. His sudden death has sent shockwaves across the political and social landscape of Donga LGA and beyond, renewing urgent calls for sustainable solutions to the recurring farmer-herder crises in the Middle Belt region.
Further updates are awaited as investigations continue and efforts are made to de-escalate the tense situation on the ground.
