By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Taraba State have accused Governor Agbu Kefas of aiding ethnic cleansing against Tiv people in the state.
Hon. Peter Achibo, the IDP leader, made the allegation in a statement released to journalists on Saturday.
Achibo questioned what he described as Governor Kefas’ selective approach to crisis situations, calling on the federal government and the international community to intervene urgently.
He lamented the state government’s alleged neglect of renewed killings in the Chanchanji ward of Takum, where at least 16 Tiv people have reportedly been killed and over 1,000 houses destroyed within the last 22 days of the renewed attacks.
“The Taraba State government’s failure to end the renewed killing of the Tiv people in Takum is a clear indication that there is a hidden plan to wipe out the Tiv in the state. It is worrisome that attacks on Tiv communities do not attract Governor Kefas’ attention. After 22 days of attacks on innocent Tiv people in the Chanchanji ward, the governor has not found any reason to end or even condemn the killings,” Achibo said.
He questioned what he described as the “selective government response” to crises in the state.
“When two persons were allegedly killed earlier this year during a dispute over the leadership of the Central Mosque in Donga, the governor acted swiftly, intervened decisively and restored peace.”
“Similarly, when violence erupted in Karim Lamido in May, Governor Kefas promptly condemned the attacks, ordered the return of displaced persons within one week, and established the Karim Lamido Peace and Justice Commission to investigate the root causes, promote reconciliation, and ensure justice.”
Achibo wondered why a similar response had not been taken regarding the plight of displaced Tiv people in Takum and Wukari.
“The persistent killings and destruction of Tiv communities appear to enjoy tacit support from certain authorities in the state. There is no gainsaying that the Tiv people of Taraba State are facing an existential threat backed by state complicity,” he alleged.
He also criticised the governor for allegedly ignoring displaced Tiv citizens during a recent visit to the area.
“It is surprising that Governor Kefas recently drove past the area where over 13,000 Tiv people were displaced from their villages. Men, women and children gathered helplessly along the roadside at Amadu as the governor passed on his way to Kashimbilla, yet he did not stop to offer a single word of consolation,” Achibo stated.
He concluded by calling for external intervention.
“I wish to draw the attention of the federal and international community that there is genocide against the Tiv people in Taraba State, targeted at total ethnic cleansing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hon. Emmanuel Bello, Special Adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas on Media and Digital Communication, declined comment when contacted on the development.
I is very clear that His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas is on a mission to complete what his predecessor started over 5 years ago; since 2019_ the plan to erode Tiv people out of Taraba State with the false claim that Tiv are settlers in the state.
As a matter of fact, it is God in his mercy and love over the Tiv nation in the state that actually delay this evil agenda from coming to materialization as planned.
Just imagine a people without representative in the current Governor’s led administration, yet could withstand such threat and dehumanization. That must only be God.
Yes, there’s a targeted cleansing of TIV in taraba state I must this as well.
Kefas is against TIV in taraba state as stated above
Bias government