By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Taraba State on Monday called on President Bola Tinubu, Federal Government and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoored Lagbaja, to probe the alleged land grabbing by the military deployed in the hitherto crisis areas, belonging to the Tiv people in Wukari Local Government Area of the state.
Chief James Baka, president General of the association made the call in a press conference in Jalingo, also regretted that some of the Tiv returning Internally Displaced Persons who were displaced from their ancestral home in parts of Taraba South are finding it difficult to resettle due to the activities of the Army against them.
Baka on behalf of the association alleged that some the Tiv villages including Tor Musa,Tor Iorshagher, Daa, Ikyernum, Ioryina, Kaduna Shane, Zegeate, and Chiina have been taken over by the military.
He said, “You may be aware that few days back, some of the Displaced Persons at Tor-Iorshagher Community, one of the biggest communities located at KM 5 along Wukari-Rafinkada Road, in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, returned to their ancestral homes and many are also preparing to return home.
“However, the returning IDPs are facing a lot of threats in various quarters and so many have begun to doubt if really the relative peace has truly come to stay.
“Gentlemen of the Press, it is in the light of this unfortunate situations that we called you to let the governments at all levels know that our people are wallowing in frustrated and dehumanize conditions that need urgent attention.
“We want the State and Federal Government to know that Nigeria Army have taken over our Displaced homes in Wukari but yet we did not smell those places for over four years now, as any attempt to do so always result to harassment by people whom we assume are meant to protect us.
“Some of the Villages taken over by the Army in Wukari include but not limited to Tor Musa,Tor Iorshagher, Daa, Ikyernum, Ioryina, Kaduna Shane, Zegeate, Chiina and many others too numerous to mention.
“In these villages, the army have their bases or check points but has stopped our people from returning to their homes.
“In fact all the Villages from Federal University Wukari to Jootar, the neighbouring Benue, the Security have check point or bases. Yet, non of our people has smell those Villages for over four years now.
“We have similar situation from Wukari to Tsokundi, Wukari to Ibi and Wukari to Kente.”
Baka, however, commended the state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, for appointing one of their illustrious sons, James Philip, as the Commissioner for Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation
“We must state categorically that the Tiv People of Taraba State do not have a negative impression on our amiable Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas in any way at all. In fact, it is worthy to note his purposeful leadership style, policies and programmes geared towards developing the State, especially in the aspects of inclusiveness.
“We want to call on the Chief of Army Staff to launch an investigative panel for our claims and to take immediate and decisive measures on this matter to prevent the officers from betraying their country and if possible, punished the personnel who are responsible for the harassment of our people,” he added.
