Militias sack Taraba community, 48 hours after peace pact

The peace process put in place by Taraba State Government to halt hostilities between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups has been broken, as attacks on communities have resumed.

The pact, which was signed by Tiv and Jukun stakeholders, collapsed barely 48 hours after, following yesterday’s early morning attack in Donga Local Council of the state.

Residents said some militias, numbering over 200, attacked Tse Akume village along Donga.

An eyewitness, Ason Iorwa, told The Guardian the attackers invaded the village at about 6:45 a.m. and opened fire. They also set the village ablaze.

“Tse-Akume is a Tiv village with over 600 occupants. Though many have since fled for fear of attack, we still have over 200 people there. I can’t give you any casualty figure, but many people are still missing,” he said.

He said: “I don’t know why Jukun people don’t want this crisis to end. The day peace meeting was going on in Jalingo, they attacked Leke in Wukari Local Council and burnt the village, including a church. Barely two days after the peace meeting, they attacked our village today (yesterday).”

Confirming the report, Caretaker Chairman of Council, Nashuka Ipeyen, agreed there was an attack.

He said: ” I was informed of a problem in my local council. I am in Wukari trying to get security to follow me to the area. I will give you an update when I reach there.”

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan-Abu, pleaded with the people to give peace a chance and stop attacks and reprisal attacks.

He said: “The State government has set up a 30-man committee, drawn from both parties, to find ways of achieving peace. We enjoin the people to support the efforts of the government.”

The State Police Command confirmed knowledge of the upset and said additional security operatives had been drafted to the area to prevent further attacks.