Taraba panel moves to resolve Jole/Shomo tussle amicably

Taraba State Commission of Inquiry into incessant upheaval between the Jole and Shomo communities in Lau Council has promised to come up with favourable report to both communities.

Like the Tiv and the Jukun, who have been engaged in warfare over lands, Jole and Shomo have been on each other’s neck over a fish pond and chieftaincy stool.

The recent unrest between the two communities, which led to wanton destruction of lives and properties, as observed by The Guardian, compelled the state government to set up a panel to ascertain the cause of the crisis and proffer lasting solution.

The commission, which yesterday commenced sitting in Jalingo, vowed not to take sides with any of the groups, but to work assiduously to come out with recommendations that would eventually compel the people to bury the hatchet and embrace peace.

Chairman of the commission, Justice Silas Haruna, said the expectation of the state government was for the commission to fashion out plans that would lead to restoration of permanent peace in the areas.

While reiterating the determination of the commission to be neutral, the high court judge urged members of the communities to feel free in defending the memoranda, which they had earlier submitted to the commission.

Stressing that the commission had concluded plans to be sitting daily, pending when it would move to Lau to take the statements of witnesses that were unable to access Jalingo, he said the commission would not condone any resident visiting members of the commission to subvert the course of justice.

Institutions, as well as private individuals, according to The Guardian’s findings, have submitted written memoranda to the commission in respect of the assignment.

Representatives of both communities, who have being at loggerheads over a fish pond and chieftaincy stool, told our correspondent that they were ready to give peace a chance provided the commission would insert the right peg in the right hole.