Taraba security: Tiv, Kuteb ethnics yet to find peace
….. many still at IDP camps after four years
By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Following the Jukun/Tiv crisis, and the persistent attack and killings of the Kuteb people by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Taraba state, both Tiv and Kuteb ethnic are yet to find peace after years.
Our correspondent reports that, while estimated 10,000 of the people have been killed, the both ethnic are still at various IDP camps in Taraba and Benue state.
Mr Terngu Igbabee and Rimande Bulus Ukwen of separates IDP camps in Jootar and Takum, told our correspondent that their people of both Kuteb and Tiv ethnic were yet to find peace in the southern part of Taraba state.
Mr. Igbabee explained that the crises between Jukun and Tiv people, particularly in Wukari local government, broke out shortly after the 2019 general election and since then, the Tivs have been at various IDP camps in Taraba and Benue state while, Mr Ukwen explained that the persistent attack and killings of the Kutebs by suspected Fulani herdsmen started in 2021.
According to the displaced people, their people who attempt returning to their ancestral homes were being attacked and killed on a frequent bases while farmlands are still unaccessible.
They both lamented former president Muhammad Buhari and ex- governor Darius Ishaku’s attitude towards ending the inhuman killings of their people and appealed to president Bola Tinubu and governor Agbu Kefas to quickly intervene.
“We are yet to find peace and return to our ancestral homes. Our people who attempt to either see or farm in the land are always attacked and killed. We are still suffering in various IDP camps while some have moved to their relatives in safe locations.
“This continues attack on our people started during the former president Buhari and Darius Ishaku’s administrations, but both of them shown no interest in ending the attacks.
“The Jukun and Tiv crisis started shortly after the 2021 election and since then, no Tiv person has been allowed to return to his ancestral home in Wukari local government, while the attacks on the Kuteb ethnic in Takum and Ussa local government by suspected Fulani herdsmen started in 2021.
“Over 10,000 of our people have been killed while property worth millions of naira have been destroyed. The Fulanis have taken occupants of our ancestral homes and farm land, grazing freely with AK 47.
“We wish to appeal to President Bola Tinubu and governor Agbu Kefas to remember that, we are yet to find peace to return to our ancestral homes and continue with our normal farm businesses. We wish both the president and the governor to intervene in the matter and allow us return to our various homes,” The IDPs recounted.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA also recalls that following the persistent attacks and killings of the Kuteb people by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Takum and Ussa local government, Hon. Abershi Musa, had in April 2023, resigned his position as caretaker chairman of Ussa local government.
The then caretaker chairman blamed former governor Darius Ishaku over the killings and said, “the governor’s attitude toward killings in the southern part of the state was the reason for his resignation.”
