Linus Philip, Jalingo
The people of Ikyaior community, Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State, have cried out to the Federal Government, international community and spirited individuals to come to their aid over what they described as calculated strategy by the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, to give them a final push and take over their ancestral land in the guise of establishing Army Barrack
The people made this loud cry on Thursday, when they staged a protest to stop a bulldozer and other vehicles that were deployed by the governor to level the community for the establishment of army barrack
Ikyaior community, located along Wukari-Kente Road, is a Tiv speaking Community boundaring Benue State with a landmark of approximately 17 kilometers in width and 22 kilometers in length, housing over 70 homes and a population of approximately 60,000 people.
Addressing Journalists after the protest, Hon Achibo Peter, leader of Tiv Internally Displaced Persons in Wukari LGA and spokesman of the community, disclosed that the protracted crisis between Jukun, the governor’s kinsmen, and Tiv people in the area had displaced several homes in the area and the people are taking refuge in the neighbouring states
Achibo said the people had been longing for the governor to broker peace between Tiv and his kinsmen only to discover that he was napping out strategy to give the people a final push and grab their ancestral land in other disguise
He said the development had raised several concerns, especially that “Many of the displaced persons in the community are still helplessly living as refugees in other places due to the protracted Jukun-Tiv conflict without government attention
“Again, the area in question stretches from Ikyaior to Jandekyula and extends deep into the interior, covering approximately 15 kilometers in width and 20 kilometers in length.
“Why would the governor need such an expansive portion of fertile land for a military project in a predominantly agrarian community? Where are the farmers expected to continue their livelihood if this land is taken away?
“This land is home to over 70 Tiv households, with a population of approximately 60,000 people. Many of whom are still living as refugees in other places due to the protracted Jukun-Tiv conflict.
“Why has the governor not prioritized a policy for their peaceful return, resettlement, and reintegration? Wouldn’t that be a more genuine demonstration of over-riding public interest?,” the IDP Chairman lamented.
