GOVERNOR Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has lamented the role of social media in the eruption of violent clashes in Sardauna Local Government Area in the state, an incident he said was needless and avoidable.
Emerging from a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja Thursday, he told State House correspondents that the crisis started with a rumour of the kidnap of one traditional ruler who was said to have been taken to an unknown destination and murdered.
He said even when the traditional ruler was found alive and brought back home the next day, a lot of damage was already done because of the way the rumour went viral on social media.
Ishaku disclosed that government was forced to approach the issue in a fire bridge manner and was currently assessing the damage resulting from the deadly clashes.
Governor Ishaku said: “Of course, the crisis erupted; it shouldn’t have erupted to that level. One of the local chiefs was taken to a particular location, but rumour went round that the opposite camp kidnapped him to be murdered. So, they now went on rampage.
“That is simply the truth of the matter and we had to make sure that he was back the following day but then, the damage had been done.
“In this modern age, with various means of communication like telephone, Facebook and many more, the message went viral. So, we were left with the option of firefighting and largely, we succeeded. But of course, we had to bear the pains of the losses incurred, which comprised lives, buildings and cows.”
The governor however expressed delight that the situation has been brought under complete control as life has since normalized in the affected areas, saying that reconciliation and sustainable peace-building efforts have commenced.
According to him, “We are trying to consolidate on the peace. We are trying to reconcile people. We have sent so many emissaries up there for peace initiatives and so far, so good, the place has calmed down, there is security everywhere, they are doing their best and we are happy with them.
“We are trying as much as possible to put the past behind us while we look into the details later on when the place is fully calm.”
On the extent of damage recorded during the crisis, Ishaku said a committee has been set up to do the assessment, saying therefore that he could not give the estimates while noting that government was working on putting mechanisms in place to forestall a reoccurrence.
“No, I can’t do it now. The committee that I have set up will go into those details and come up with what damages have been done,” he said, adding: “We are working hard on that and I can assure you by the grace of God, with the intervention that the security has done now, we may not see that kind of a thing again. It has been very good.”
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