Tor-Damisa, Donga LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria — Suspected bandits have carried out a deadly assault on Tse Kwe village in the Tor-Damisa (also known as Tordamisa) community, Akate Ward, Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State, killing three police officers and five civilians during a gun battle with security forces.
A survivor of the attack rests in a hospital bed while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the assault on Tse Kwe village in Taraba State.
The attackers, reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the village at about 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 18 March, firing indiscriminately and triggering widespread panic. Residents, including women and children, fled into surrounding bushland as gunfire created scenes of chaos, according to eyewitnesses.
A distress call from a local resident, Zaki Orbanga, reached the Donga Police Division, prompting a swift response led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO). The operation was reinforced by special forces operatives and soldiers from the 93 Battalion based in Takum.
On arrival, security personnel came under heavy fire, leading to a prolonged exchange. The combined forces eventually repelled the attackers, who fled the area.
Three police officers were killed in the line of duty:
Corporal Raphael Danjuma
Police Constable Ebenezer Daniel
Police Constable Samuel Bawa, initially reported missing and later found dead in nearby bushland
The body of Nutsa Tyav, the 60-year-old chairman of the Tor-Damisa vigilante group, was also recovered following the clash.
The Taraba State Police Command confirmed the fatalities in a statement issued on Thursday by its acting Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah. The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths.
“The Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assures them that their sacrifice will not be forgotten,” she said.
As of press time, much of the affected community remained deserted, with soldiers and mobile police units maintaining a strong presence to deter further attacks.
The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in southern Taraba State, where rural areas such as Donga LGA continue to experience violence linked to banditry and farmer–herder tensions. No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing.
Police and other security agencies have pledged to intensify operations to apprehend those responsible and safeguard communities in the region.
