The Nigerian social media space is presently abuzz with outrage over reports of attack by suspected herdsmen on a community in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital.

Several people were said to have been killed and several houses burnt in the crisis that erupted on Sunday.

The crisis reportedly started at Kasuwan Bera in ATC area near the Taraba State University around 5pm.

Although the cause of the crisis could not be ascertained yet, it was gathered that Kona ethnic group had allegedly blocked a public highway and attacked  innocent travellers.

A resident, Ishaku Danzumi, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said,

“Fulani herdsmen in droves have invaded ATC and Jauro-Sabai. They are firing shots everywhere. Only God can save us tonight.

It was also gathered that hundreds of people, including women and children, fled the area.

A Twitter user who claimed to be a youth corps member serving in the city said;

“I heard uncountable Gunshots Yesterday (Sunday) Night.”

He tweeted on Monday morning that about 200 displaced people are presently camping in the secondary school which is his place of primary assignment.

He tweeted:

This is the Secondary School I’m currently Serving in Jalingo, we have like 100-200 Displaced Persons Currently. And Jalingo is on fire now, Where Next? pic.twitter.com/p71a4bYBbs

— Tyga? (@AAAHammanyero) June 17, 2019

Meanwhile, some prospective corps members who have just been posted to Taraba state for the 21-day orientation programme have been allaying fears over the report of violence in the state capital.

The prospective corps members are expected to resume in camp today.

 

See some of the reactions:

@officialnyscng please we Corp members posted to Taraba are we still going to serve over there or what ?

— Kingsley Adeniyi (@Chess_kk) June 16, 2019

Imagine waking up Monday morning to this kinda news about Jalingo

Ooo yeah, I don’t have to imagine since it’s real??‍♂️
Nigeria, which way na
God safe us
Pray for Jalingo https://t.co/MePyYD4NLY

— Bearly ? (@grizzly_bean) June 17, 2019

Nigeria is on fire.Just ’cause most of us still have our freedom and are enjoying relative peace, we read such stories with little or no empathy. It’s our brothers & sisters in Jalingo today,tomorrow it may be you. Let’s speak out against this inept govt that keeps failing us. https://t.co/LnUPTeMlOa

— Lady Frances (@LoveisSupreme0) June 17, 2019

Now herdsmen are burning a city, a state capital down, this is not boko haram, herdsmen, and buhari has refused to proscribe this group, prepare yourselves Nigerians this is war.

— bryan okojie (@bryan_okojie) June 16, 2019

Chaos in Jalingo! Fire everywhere! Residents are fleeing their homes.

What’s happening in Taraba State shows that Nigeria isn’t safe.

It can happen anywhere in this country.

Let’s Pray for Jalingo. pic.twitter.com/gpoClSZACy

— Sir Bobo (@mrboboskie) June 17, 2019

How long are we going keep witnessing this state of lawlessness?killings everywhere, the body counts everyday is becoming scary.But where were all these people hiding before now? And what really pushed all of them out now?

— Sir Hector (@heectoryanuk) June 16, 2019

I think at this junction masses should have step back a bit for all political influence in their geopolitical zone by, when power didn’t not favour them they turn poor to be enslave themselves. May God help Nigeria to back to is fit.

— dinehin bunmi (@DinehinB) June 16, 2019

Blatant lie, it was KONA tribe that invaded ATC and started killing and burning vehicles which they attacked on the road leading to Jalingo town.

— Abd’arrashid (@Rashyd21699967) June 16, 2019

Me that is currently in jalingo heard its a tribal clash between Fulani nd kona Jukuns and its been ongoing for some while now but this headline is too one sided

— Anonymous Deen (@sani01deen) June 16, 2019