By Jako Keke, June 1, 2026.
The United Methodist Church (UMC) Nigeria Episcopal Area has donated relief materials worth over N200 million to communities affected by the farmer-herder crisis in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of victims and support their recovery.
The humanitarian intervention was led by the Bishop of the United Methodist Church Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal Episcopal Area, , who personally visited the affected communities of Munga Lelau, Magami, Balasa and Wadamdi to distribute the relief materials.
Speaking with journalists during the distribution exercise, Bishop Emmanuel said the donation was aimed at bringing hope and relief to survivors who lost loved ones, homes, farmlands and other valuables during the violent clashes that affected the area.
The cleric expressed deep sympathy to the affected families and communities, describing the destruction caused by the conflict as heartbreaking. He urged residents to remain steadfast and united despite their challenges, assuring them that the church would continue to stand with vulnerable people in times of need.
"We are here to share in your pains and demonstrate the love of Christ through practical support. The mission of the church goes beyond preaching; it includes caring for those who are suffering and restoring hope to broken communities," he said.
Bishop Emmanuel noted that the intervention was provided without discrimination based on religion, ethnicity or denomination, stressing that all affected persons deserved assistance irrespective of their backgrounds. According to him, the church's commitment to peace-building and humanitarian service informed its decision to extend support to the crisis-hit communities.
He commended the Global Board of Missions and the wider United Methodist Church family for their continued support toward humanitarian outreach programmes, particularly among victims of communal conflicts and natural disasters across Nigeria.
The bishop further emphasized the importance of dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among communities, urging residents to embrace constructive engagement whenever disputes arise rather than resorting to violence.
"Peace remains the only sustainable path to development. Community leaders, youths and stakeholders must always prioritize dialogue and mutual understanding in resolving differences," he added.
Beneficiaries of the gesture, including Josephine Innocent, Maryati Audi, Bitrus Malam and Reverend Daniel Lartoni, expressed profound gratitude to Bishop Emmanuel and the United Methodist Church for the timely intervention.
They described the donation as a lifeline for many families struggling to recover from the devastating effects of the crisis, noting that the support would help ease their hardship and assist them in rebuilding their lives.
The beneficiaries also praised the church for demonstrating genuine Christian compassion through practical action, saying the intervention reflected the true essence of the Gospel and reaffirmed the church's commitment to serving humanity.
Items distributed included food and non-food materials designed to cushion the effects of the destruction caused by the farmer-herder conflict that ravaged several communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area last year. The relief package is expected to provide immediate assistance to hundreds of affected households while contributing to ongoing efforts aimed at restoring normalcy and strengthening peace in the area.
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