Benue monarch demands return of Taraba IDPs to their ancestral homes

The paramount ruler of Sankera in Benue State, housing the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Taraba, Tor Sankera, David Sev-av, has called for the return of the displaced persons to their ancestral homes in Taraba State.

The traditional ruler made the demand in Kyado while speaking at the prayer session organised by displaced Tiv people from Taraba, who are currently taking refuge in the axis of Benue since 2019.

Sev-av lamented that the long occupation of farmland by the displaced population who are from Taraba, was affecting the indigenous people in the area, attracting impending food crisis and called on Governor Agbu Kefas to fast-track the return of the people.

The traditional ruler, represented by the Tyoor Mbazun in Ukum Local Government Area, Zaki  John Kyungwa, called on both the Aku-Uka of Wukari, Mannu Ada Ali, and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse to facilitate the immediate return of the displaced population back to their ancestral homes in Taraba.

Nigerian Tribune revealed that stakeholders at the meeting said, over 3000 of the Tiv population had been killed since April 2019, 300,000 displaced and over 1,000 villages destroyed in the southern part of Taraba State.

The stakeholders also called on Governor Kefas to fas-track the safe return of the displaced Tiv taking refuge in Benue State to their ancestral homes in Taraba.

Also, the Catholic Bishop of Wukari Diocese, Most Rev. Mark Maigida Nzukwein, expressed concern over the recent wave of killings and continued displacement of the people, particularly the Tiv and Kuteb tribes in the Southern part of Taraba.

The Bishop condemned the recent attacks and killings in the Chanchanji ward of Takum by Fulani militia where over 70 Tiv people were killed within two weeks.

He called on both President Bola Tinubu and the Taraba government to expedite action in ending the attacks, and ensure a safe return of the displaced population back to their homes.