The Forum of Clergymen of Tiv Extraction in Taraba State has called on federal and the Taraba State government to take an urgent step to end the persistent killings between the Jukun and Tiv in Taraba State.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting on Sunday in Mutum- Biyu, Gasso local government, and signed by Rev. Fr. Simon Akuraga and Pastor James Unongo.
The group lamented the spread of the crisis without control, resulting to killing of dozens and rendering thousands homeless in southern and central zones of the state, described it as evil in the sight of God.
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Part of the communique read; “the spread of hate speeches and blackmail sometimes orchestrated by some organs and functionaries of government remains worrisome.
“The implications for the lingering crisis remain quite grievous. There is already widespread hunger and starvation in our state; the Nature’s gift to the Nation.
“It is raining season again and people in the affected areas cannot access their farms due to fear of attack. Many people have been killed and properties worth millions destroyed.
“Shamefully too, Churches are not spared, and the growing hatred between members of the warring ethnic groups is alarming even as our landscape is littered with IDPs.”
While acknowledging the numerous peace meetings initiated by the Taraba State government to address the crisis, the forum called on the government to rethink her strategies as the current approaches seemed to have failed to address the crisis.
The forum called for the deployment of security to the affected areas, provision of relief materials to the victims, and the setting up of a commission of inquiry into age-long crisis for a permanent solution to the crisis.
“We entrust our State and the different ethnic warriors and conflict merchants in the hands of God who can turn the heart of stone to the heart of flesh.
“This forum is praying every day to God to lead our governor in providing leadership to that bring all Tarabans to feel that we are equal in this state irrespective of ethnic or religious background,” the communique read.
and then