The stakeholders from Jukun and Tiv communities in Taraba state have applauded the state government for initiating a peace committee saddled with the responsibility of proffering peace in the crisis prone areas of Takum, Wukari and Donga.
The Chairman of the Committee, Chief John Mamman confirmed that the visit to the warring Local Governments by the Committee has reduced the crisis to its barest minimum. He stated this while briefing Journalists in Jalingo, the State capital.
Chief Mamman further disclosed that the Committee, in all the communities visited, observed that the people were tired of the crisis and fighting.
According to him, in Takum, ‘we were able to speak to the Elders, all the graded Chiefs, youths, women organizations, including the Security agencies, we also did same in Donga and Wukari Local Governments’.
“I can say that the people on both sides are tired of fighting and everybody appreciated the Government for setting up the Peace Initiative”,
“All they are asking for is Relief, Assistance from both the Federal and State Governments and from other humanitarian organisations that are willing to help”,
“They want Government to come to their aid, resettle those that have been displaced and then, provide enough security for them to go back to their homes”, he said.
Chief Mamman also told Journalists that the Committee have already submitted their Reports to the State Government where they advised that humanitarian assistance be rendered to the people without delay.
“We also advised Government to see to the welfare of the Security men deployed to such areas and to ensure that commuters ply the roads without attacks”, he added.
The Committee Chairman however, certified the outcome of the weeklong sensitization visit to be successful and assured that in no distant time, peace will fully return to Southern Taraba.
Blueprint reports that the crisis that engulfed among the Jukun and Tiv communities of Taraba State have claimed several lives with property worth millions of Naira destroyed.
