By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Ikyaior and Jandekyula communities in Chonku Council Ward of Wukari Local Government Area have rejected the proposed establishment of a Military Forward Operating Base (FOB) covering 150 hectares of land each within their communities.
In a press statement issued to journalists on Wednesday and signed by Elder Agen Ali Karkigh, Elder Uyuan Imbyave, Elder Geoffrey Vendaga Henda Baka, Elder Peter Igba Ashe, Chief Ter-er Nenshi, Hon. Peter Achibo, and Prince Felix Aondofa David, the community leaders alleged that the proposal was a disguised strategy to dispossess them of their ancestral lands.
They argued that a military Forward Operating Base does not require such a large expanse of farmland, noting that no FOB in Nigeria occupies that much land.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the Taraba State Government had last week earmarked 150 hectares each in Ikyaior and Jandekyula communities for the establishment of the military base in Wukari LGA.
According to the state government, the initiative is aimed at tackling the growing banditry and insecurity in the area.
However, the communities, in their press statement, rejected the move, alleging that it was a strategy targeted at ethnic cleansing against the displaced Tiv people in the area.
“After due consultation with critical stakeholders, we wish to reject the proposed establishment of a Military Forward Operating Base (FOB) covering 150 hectares of land each in our communities by the Taraba State Government.
No FOB in Nigeria occupies up to 20 hectares of land. We have viewed this proposal as a deliberate tactic to evict Tiv people from their ancestral lands.
The existing FOBs in Wukari town, Kente, Sondi, Rafin Kada, Tsokundi, and Arufu in Wukari LGA do not cover more than two hectares each,” the statement read in part.
The leaders also described the project as a misplaced priority, since it is not situated in any of the displaced communities that are in dire need of security.
“The Tiv people have been displaced from over 280 villages in Wukari, 60 in Donga, and 20 in Ibi LGAs, yet the government has failed to provide security for the displaced persons. Instead, it chose to propose a military base in peaceful communities. For the record, Ikyaior and Jandekyula are peaceful; they do not need such military presence,” the statement added.
They further alleged that past experiences with FOBs in Tiv areas had been “painful and unjust.”
“During the re-eruption of the Jukun–Tiv crisis, FOBs were established in Tor-Iorshagher, Tor-Musa, Kyernum, Zegeate, and Tse-Daa. Instead of maintaining neutrality, the military personnel stationed there often took sides and resisted the return of IDPs, leading to continued displacement of rightful landowners.
A similar experience exists in Ibi LGA, where Tiv communities such as Ibua, Danwanzan, Gidinwaya, and Gidan-Gboko remain displaced to date,” they said.
The communities also condemned what they described as the government’s failure to consult Tiv stakeholders before taking such a sensitive decision, calling the action undemocratic.
They called on President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, and Governor Agbu Kefas to ensure the neutrality of the military and prevent its use as a tool for ethnic cleansing.
The statement urged the government to withdraw the proposed FOB, facilitate the safe return of displaced persons, and provide relief materials for returning IDPs.
