By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Tiv extraction have called on the Taraba State Government and Governor Agbu Kefas to uphold constitutional provisions guaranteeing equal protection for all citizens, especially the Tiv population.
Hon. Peter Achibo, leader of the displaced Tiv community, made the appeal in a press statement issued on Monday.
Achibo lamented what he described as a deliberate attempt to displace the Tiv from Taraba, particularly in Wukari LGA. He expressed dismay over the state government’s decision to acquire over 150 hectares of land each from the Ikyaior and Jandekyula communities for the establishment of a Military Forward Operating Base (FOB).
He alleged that while Jukun communities have been supported and provided with security to return to their ancestral homes following the violent Jukun–Tiv conflict of April 1, 2019, Tiv displaced persons continue to face systematic barriers preventing their return.
Achibo further claimed that despite 283 Tiv villages in Wukari, 69 in Donga, 37 in Ibi, and several others in Takum LGAs remaining abandoned—representing a displaced population of over 300,000 Tiv people—the Taraba State Government has failed to act in line with the Constitution. He noted that repeated appeals for government intervention to guarantee safe return have gone unheeded.
“While the Jukun communities were swiftly provided with security and support to return to their ancestral homes after the 2019 Jukun–Tiv conflict, the displaced Tiv persons continue to face systematic obstruction, preventing their return,” he said.
“Till date, 283 Tiv villages in Wukari LGA, 69 in Donga LGA, 37 in Ibi LGA, and several others in Takum remain abandoned, representing a displaced population of over 300,000 Tiv people. Despite repeated appeals for security to enable their safe return, authorities have failed to act, raising serious concerns of fairness, impartiality, and equity.”
He described the latest move by the state government as an escalation of marginalization, alleging that the proposed acquisition of more than 400 hectares of land amounts to targeted dispossession of Tiv communities that have managed to return and settle peacefully.
According to him, the indigenous Tiv people of Taraba have endured years of discrimination including denial of representation in traditional councils, political marginalisation, refusal of certificates of origin, unequal opportunities in government employment and promotion, forced renaming of Tiv villages, imposition of external traditional rulers, and now government-backed land grabbing.
“This is purely unconstitutional and sentimental,” Achibo stated.
He called on Governor Agbu Kefas and the Taraba State Government to adhere strictly to constitutional provisions guaranteeing equal protection for all citizens and to facilitate the safe return of displaced Tiv communities to their ancestral homes without fear of further attacks.
