Army Condoles Chanchanji Community Over Market Accident, Tiv Leader Decries Government Neglect
from Williams Ayooso
The Nigerian Army has condoled with the Tiv community in Chanchanji, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, following a tragic accident involving a military vehicle that claimed the lives of eight members of the community.
The incident, which occurred on August 26, 2026, at the busy Peva Market, involved a soldier driving a military vehicle through a crowd, resulting in the deaths of men, women and children, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
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Findings by our reporter indicate that some of the surviving victims are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Wukari, Taraba State.
The Army’s condolence was conveyed during the funeral service of two of the victims, Mrs. Maria Dooshima Terna Igbom and 10-year-old Miss Regina Anadoo Ajai, at the NKST Church, Peva.
Miss Ajai reportedly died from injuries sustained during the stampede that followed the incident.
Speaking at the funeral, the Commanding Officer of Ada Barracks, Takum, C.O. Eyinade, described the incident as unfortunate and accidental, stressing that the Nigerian Army remained committed to its constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
He said the Army had not and would never deviate from its mandate, including ensuring that Nigerians could “sleep with their eyes closed.”
Eyinade appealed to members of the community to forgive the Army and remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the military would continue to defend Nigerians within the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Responding on behalf of the community, the Taraba State Tiv Central Leader, Zaki David Gbaa Tella, appreciated the Nigerian Army for demonstrating what he described as a strong sense of humanity and concern for the affected families.
He particularly commended the Commanding Officer of Ada Barracks for his continuous engagement with the community since the incident, saying the gesture had helped to give the people a sense of belonging.
However, Gbaa Tella expressed disappointment over what he described as the failure of the government to show concern for the victims and their families.
He alleged that neither the Taraba State Government nor the Chairman of Takum Local Government Council had visited the community or offered a word of condolence following the tragedy.
According to him, the alleged neglect was particularly painful given the magnitude of the incident and the numerous challenges confronting the people of Chanchanji.
“Government, under the Nigerian Constitution, has a responsibility to protect all without regard to tribe. But in our case, it is different,” he said.
Gbaa Tella recalled that following a recent crisis in Donga Local Government Area, in which two people were reportedly killed, the state government provided N300 million to the affected community and rebuilt a destroyed mosque as part of efforts to restore peace.
“Here we are today, not even a word of condolence from the Chairman of Takum Local Government Council. It is highly demoralising.
“But as one of the leaders in the state, I wish to advise that such selective justice and selective sensitivity will never help us grow as a state and as a people,” he stated.
He also lamented the security challenges confronting the Chanchanji community, saying some families were unable to bury their deceased relatives in their ancestral lands because of alleged occupation by armed herders.
“We are so unprotected and insecure that even victims of the accident cannot be buried in their ancestral domains because their lands have been taken over by militant herdsmen,” he said.
Gbaa Tella disclosed that he had purchased a piece of land for N700,000 to enable his family bury his brother’s wife, who was among the deceased.
Despite the grievances, he reiterated the community’s appreciation to the Nigerian Army for the concern and support demonstrated since the incident.
The remains of Mrs. Maria Dooshima Terna Igbom and Miss Regina Anadoo Ajai were later conveyed by their family members to their respective burial sites following the funeral service.
The NKST Church also conducted the funeral service of Mama Naomi Orhena alongside the two accident victims.
Mama Naomi Orhena, who died at the age of 96, was the mother of Samuel Orhena, President-General of the Taraba State Tiv People Association, Abuja.
