Taraba community rejects FUDECO’s militia allegations, seeks probe

The Gwomu community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State has called on the state government to investigate recent accusations made by the Fulbe Development and Cultural Organisation (FUDECO).

The community, in a statement on Sunday, made available to the media in Jalingo, denied FUDECO’s claims that it is responsible for a series of violent attacks in the area.

Coming under the auspices of the Gwomu Development Association (GDA), they questioned the legitimacy of FUDECO’s allegations, which accused the community of militia activity.

FUDECO, as observed by The Guardian, had recently petitioned the Commissioner of Police, alleging that Gwomu residents were behind a string of killings and attacks in the LGA.

The GDA, led by its national chairman, Elder Mamuda Yakson, expressed dismay over the accusations and urged the state government to address the situation.

While commending Governor Agbu Kefas and security agencies for their efforts to restore peace in the area, the group claimed that FUDECO’s actions were undermining the peace efforts.

“It is saddening that despite the government’s commitment to peace, certain individuals under the banner of FUDECO continue to incite hostility,” the GDA’s statement read.

The community also denied that any of its members were involved in militia activity, challenging FUDECO to provide evidence to support its claims.

They stressed that the Gwomu people have remained peaceful and law-abiding throughout the ongoing crisis. According to the statement, there is no record of any Gwomu individual launching attacks on Fulani herders.

The community also raised concerns over repeated violations of a peace agreement between the two groups, alleging that Fulani herders have continued to destroy crops and initiate unprovoked attacks.

They called on the government and security agencies to take urgent action to protect their farms and ensure lasting peace in the community.

FUDECO, through its chairperson Hajiya Aishatu Ardo, has earlier accused the authorities of failing to arrest and punish those responsible for the violence, suggesting that the lack of action has contributed to the ongoing unrest in the area.