By Stephen Osu Jalingo
Stakeholders of four ethnic nationalities on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba state have accused the state Commissioner of Police Yunana Y. Babas of being responsible for the outbreak of the recent crisis that has already claimed 18 lives and property worth millions of naira destroyed. Stakeholders of Kambu, Kaka, Kpanso and Mambilla ethnic groups made the allegations at a press conference jointly addressed by their leaders at the weekend in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital. According to them, there was a minor disagreement between the four ethnic groups and their Fulani neighbours, which was known by the state government, which a judicial commission of inquiry was set.
Speaking through the former chairman of Sarduna local government area of Taraba state, Markus Bonvoa, the stakeholders said the commissioner, instead of abiding by the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry, unilaterally went ahead to arrest two community leaders on the Plateau at odd hours. At another press conference, the Commissioner of Police Taraba state command, Yunana Y. Babas, accused the Mambilla ethnic group for coursing the crises on the Plateau.
He, however, acknowledged the fact that the two ethnic groups had lived together peacefully for decades. Th e commissioner said a case that was before a magistrate in Gembu, the Mambillas decided to take laws into their hands as a result of the detention of two of their brothers who are the accused in the matter; he however said two of the suspects are in custody. Responding to a question on the way out of the crisis, the spokesman of the group, Markus said the recommendations of the 2002 committee of inquiry on the Plateau crisis should be implemented for lasting peace to rain in the land.
