Taraba killings: Peace committee blames Gov Ishaku over breach of peace
By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Taraba state Independent Peace Committee, a sub-body of the National Peace Committee, on Tuesday expressed worry over the killings in Ussa and Bali local government areas of Taraba state.
The committee in a press briefing in Jalingo, led by it chairman Professor Talla Ngarka, also blamed governor Darius Ishaku, over the breach of peace that led to the death of one person in Bali Local Government following his alleged attempt to forcefully takeover land belonging to local residents who have been in the place for over 60 years.
The committee condemned the incidents and called on security agencies who are already investigating the incidents to do so with due diligence and restore peace in the affected communities.
“We have been working tirelessly to restore peace in troubled communities and to galvanize citizens’ support towards achieving sustainable peace and development in Taraba State. It is sad that while we were making efforts to galvanized citizens supports for a peaceful Taraba, crisis erupted again in Ussa local government area, killing scores of people and rendering many homeless while property worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
“The committee is in a receipt of yet another breach of peace in Dugwer community of Bali Local Government Area where one person was killed and scores of people injured in a forceful attempt to take over land belonging to local residents who have lived in the place for over 60 years. We condemn these incidents and call on security agencies who are already investigating the incidents to do due diligence and restore peace in the affected communities.
“The attack, killings and destruction in Ussa is unfortunate, unacceptable and highly condemnable. Government must take responsibility and ensure the safety of lives and property, not only in Ussa, but in the entire state.
“We wish to call on Governor Darius Ishaku, to wade into the alleged forceful eviction of the people of Dugwer community and ensure the right thing is done if in any case the government is interested in acquiring the land housing in Dugwer community as it is being alleged. Due process should be followed in the interest of peace and development,” Its lamented.
The peace committee also appealed to the House of Representatives Candidates and political parties taking part in the re-run election holding this Saturday for the Takum, Donga and Ussa Federal Constituency which will hold in Chanchanji ward and some polling units in Bete and Fete wards of Takum LGA and Kwesati ward in Ussa LGA respectively, to be peaceful and allow the people to freely make their choice in the election.
