By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Paramount Ruler of the Sankera axis of Benue State, which is currently hosting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Taraba State, has called for the return of the displaced persons to their ancestral homes in Taraba.
HRM, the Tor Sankera, Chief David Sev-av, made the call on Thursday in Kyado while speaking at a prayer session organised by displaced Tiv people from Taraba, who have been taking refuge in the Sankera axis of Benue State since 2019.
Sev-av lamented that the prolonged occupation of farmlands by the displaced population from Taraba was affecting agricultural productivity among the indigenous people, warning of an impending food crisis in the area. He called on Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, to fast-track the return of the displaced persons.
Represented by the Tyoor Mbazun in Ukum Local Government Area, Zaki Engr. John Kyungwa, the traditional ruler also appealed to the Aku-Uka of Wukari, HRM Manu Ada Ali, and the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, to facilitate the immediate return of the displaced population to their ancestral homes in Taraba State.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that stakeholders at the meeting disclosed that over 3,000 Tiv people have been killed since April 1, 2019, more than 300,000 displaced, and over 1,000 villages destroyed in the southern part of Taraba State. They also urged Governor Agbu Kefas to fast-track the safe return of displaced Tiv persons currently taking refuge in Benue State.
Our correspondent further reports that the Catholic Bishop of Wukari Diocese, Most Rev. Mark Maigida Nzukwein, had expressed concern over the recent wave of killings and continued displacement of people, particularly the Tiv and Kuteb tribes in southern Taraba State.
The bishop condemned the recent attacks in Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area, allegedly carried out by Fulani militia, where over 70 Tiv people were killed within two weeks. He also decried the persistent attacks on returning Tiv IDPs, including the most recent incident in Tse Ajogo village of Wukari Local Government Area.
He called on President Bola Tinubu and the Taraba State Government to take urgent steps to end the attacks and ensure the safe return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
Meanwhile, the Paramount Ruler of Sankera said:
“We have long accommodated the Taraba IDPs, and it is time for the Taraba State Government, with support from Benue State, to return them to their ancestral homes.
“We do not have enough farmland. The Taraba State Government should return its people to enable us farm. The IDPs’ prolonged occupation of our farmlands is affecting our productivity, and their continued stay poses the danger of an impending food crisis in the Sankera axis.
“I call on the Aku-Uka of Wukari, HRM Manu Ada Ali, and the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, to facilitate the immediate return of the displaced population to their ancestral homes in Taraba State and ensure permanent peace between the Jukun and Tiv people.”
