Skip to main content

Tension mounts over renewed Plateau-Taraba border conflict‎

‎
Tension is building following the resurgence of the unresolved conflict between residents of border communities of Plateau and Taraba States.

The conflict involves the mainly Tarok speaking people from Langtang South, Langtang North and Wase local government of Plateau axis and Ibi local government from Taraba.

Affected are 13 villages from Taraba State and three local governments from Plateau State, with indications that the border communities could erupt in major ethnic and religious violence soon, unless security was beefed up in the zone.

For instance, on May 31, two citizens of Ibi local government, Garba Ibbi and Adamu Inuwa raised the alarm that ethnic militia made up of Tarok people from Plateau state had annexed 13 Taraba villages and installed Tarok chiefs to head the annexed communities.

Garba Ibbi and Adamu Inuwa, who claimed to be representing Ibi Citizens Forum (ICF) alleged that a group from Langtang South teamed up with another militant group from Wukari to launch violent attacks on some villages in Ibi council.

Citizens’ Forum disclosed that the villages attacked by the Tarok militia and subsequently annexed included; Tapga, Anguwar Kwalla, Kurmin sauri, Ruwan Dutse, Bada Koshi, Zamtun, Maje Biyu, Malla, Kogin Wase Dan Wasen, Koso, Gidan Yanmere, Gidan Kye and Kati, even as Tarok people also installed their men as Chiefs in the annexed villages.

However, the Tarok ethnic group which felt slighted by the allegations, in a statement in Jos last week, said the allegations amounted to kettle calling pot black.

Part of the statement signed by concerned Tarok Youths of Langtang South, Langtang North and Wase, read: “The claims by the Ibi youths is misleading and wicked machination aimed at portraying both the Tarok and Jukun tribes as violent set of people. The truth is, there is no ethnic militia of Tarok extraction from Langtang South or anywhere operating in any part of Taraba State.

“The alleged collaboration by any group from Wukari is not also true, and the alleged annexation is also a false alarm and a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the two ethnic groups under consideration. Even the alleged installation of local chiefs from Langtang South is equally false.”

The statement was signed by four Tarok youths, Hon. Ishaya Nankap, Hon. Nanpon Musa, Comrade Lohbut Jangle and Hon. Nanbut Faman.

Tracing the origin of the conflict, the statement disclosed, “Wukari and Ibbi are at the tail end of the southern part of Taraba State, while Langtang South incidentally, is also at the Southern part of Plateau State, bordered by parts of Ibbi Local Government in Taraba State,which is severed by River Benue.

“Ibi is on the other side of the River, while Sarkin Kudu and other areas mentioned earlier shared a common boundary with Langtang South in Plateau State.

However, the recent conflict has been traced to some unresolved crisis from both sides of the divide in 2002, which started in Wase Local Government Area, and spread to the entire Southern part of Plateau State.

It was gathered that chairmen of the two local councils have already begun talks aimed at dousing the tension.

- TODAY.ng

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taraba State University Joins ASUU Ultimatum to 21 Universities Over 2025 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has joined 20 other state-owned universities placed on a 14-day ultimatum over the alleged non-implementation of key provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement. The ultimatum was issued following resolutions reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja, where the union expressed concern over what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the agreement. ASUU warned that the affected universities could face industrial action if the outstanding issues are not resolved within the 14-day window. The union authorised the affected branches to begin formal processes for strike action should their respective university authorities fail to address the issues. Taraba State University, Jalingo, was specifically listed among the 21 universities affected by the directive. Other institutions on the list include Nasarawa State Universit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Truck Drivers Block Jalingo–Zing–Yola Road Following Dispute at NDLEA Checkpoint

Taraba Facts Truck drivers have reportedly blocked the Jalingo–Zing–Yola road following a disagreement with a soldier at an NDLEA checkpoint last night. The incident has disrupted movement along the major highway, leaving motorists and other road users stranded. As of Thursday morning, the road remains blocked, with the situation reportedly affecting the free movement of vehicles along the route. The circumstances surrounding the disagreement between the truck drivers and the security personnel remain unclear. Residents and road users are calling on relevant authorities to urgently intervene, investigate the incident and resolve the dispute to restore normal traffic. Authorities are also urged to ensure that the matter is properly addressed and that the safety and movement of commuters along the busy route are not further compromised.
Post a Comment
Read more

Taraba Begins ₦5,000 Deduction for Teachers’ Permanent Identity Cards

The Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) has initiated a ₦5,000 deduction from teachers as part of arrangements for the production of Permanent Identity Cards for teachers across the state. According to UBEC, the identity cards are expected to strengthen staff records, improve security and enhance administrative efficiency in the management of teachers across Taraba State. UBEC further said the Permanent Identity Card project is also expected to assist the state government in developing an accurate and verifiable database of teachers. Such a database will provide Governor Agbu Kefas with reliable information on personnel within the basic education system and support more effective planning, monitoring and personnel management. The initiative is therefore expected to strengthen security measures, improve staff verification and provide a more efficient system for managing personnel across Taraba State’s basic education sector.
Post a Comment
Read more