Jukun/Tiv Crisis: Gov. Ishaku Holds Yet Another Meeting with Stakeholders to End the Lingering Crisis

Representative of the Jukuns, Commissioner of Information and Reorientation Hon. Danjuma Adamu.

Stakeholders of Jukun and Tivs have reached a truce to end the lingering crisis bedevilling both communities in the Southern part of the state.

This form part of the fourteen point communiqué signed by Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku who was represented by his Deputy Haruna Manu, Representative of the Jukuns Danjuma Adamu and that of the Tivs Jimme Yongu at a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House Jalingo.

Presenting the Communiqué, State Deputy Governor Haruna Manu called for an end of all forms of hostilities in Southern Taraba maintaining that all defaulters will be dealt with decisively by the government.

The stakeholders called on the State Government to deploy more security to Donga Local Government Area to end hostilities in all affected areas in the southern zone.

They urged the state Government to mandate the thirty man TIV and Jukun Committee to continue the peace building process in conjunction with Community leaders and submit report for consideration.

The stakeholders appealed to the state government to provide relief materials to victims of the recent crisis in Donga who are now living in different internally displaced person’s camps situated in Donga, Kurmi and Bali Local Government Areas.

They urged the government to facilitate the return of all the internally displaced persons to their homes as well as providing them with farming implements for this year’s farming season.

The stakeholders pleaded with the government to expedite action towards the demarcation of boundaries between Taraba and Benue, build military base at Chonku and border villages stating that henceforth land disputes should be resolved by local government Council Chairmen.

They resolved to end hiring of militias and agreed to go back to their domain to talk to their people to douse the crisis charging religious leaders to preach peace to their adherents and called on the government to ensure that security issues are nipped at the bud in the point where breakdown of law and order occurs.

The stakeholders agreed to sue for peace in various media platforms stressing that kidnapping and armed robbery are aftermath of conflicts which should stop.

In an interview, Representative of the Jukuns who is the Commissioner of Information and Reorientation Danjuma Adamu said there is no need for the Jukuns and Tivs to continue fighting in view of their rich historical background.

He applauded Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku for taken a proactive step to maintain peace in the state and expressed hope that the crisis will end.

The Commissioner promised to give an update on peace efforts as they retire to their various communities to preach peace.

On his part, Representative of the Tivs, who is a legal practitioner Jimme Yongu appreciated Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku for assembling the stakeholders of Tivs and Jukun to talk peace.

He decried the death of women and Children including destruction of lives and property as a result of the crisis.

Yongu, stressed that the Jukuns and Tivs cannot be separated as they have lived together for many years, inter married and called on them to leave in peace.

The stakeholders meeting is another effort initiated by Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to broker peace in Donga and other communities in the Southern part of the state.

Governor Darius Ishaku has held several meetings within and outside the state with the recent one at Lafia, Nassarawa state to end the lingering crisis between the Tivs and Jukun an indication that he has continued to maintain his mantra for and development for the overall growth of the state.