By Charles Akpeji, Jalingo
No fewer than two persons were reportedly killed in a fresh crisis that erupted, yesterday, between the Wurkun and Karinjo communities in Karim-Lamido Local Council of Taraba State. It was also alleged that over five villages were burnt to ashes.
He said apart from the policemen, heavily armed soldiers and other security operatives were drafted to the troubled communities. He was optimistic that the command, in collaboration with the sisters security agencies, would put the situation under control.
However, he blamed the Karinjo community for the attack. He alleging that the Karinjo community had engaged the service of mercenaries from the neighbouring Lau Local Council, and this has led to the killings of no fewer than two persons,while some villages burnt beyond recognition.
Villages razed at the time of filing this report, included Garin Marwa, Sarkin Kudu, Sallamin Kala and Yashi Pena. Sources from the communities described Karinjo’s action as shocking.
It would be recalled that peace eluded the two communities the day the immediate past governor of the state, Darius Ishaku, created a chiefdom for the people. One of the youth leaders, Seth Sule, who alleged that several domestic animals were carted away, pleaded with government to wade into the crisis.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from Ussa and Donga local councils of Taraba State, as well as the Yangtu Special Development Area of the state, have frowned at the alleged lukewarm attitudes of elite towards the ongoing killings and destruction of property.
Stakeholders, made up of the Catholic Bishop of Wukari Diocese, Most Rev. Mark Nzukwein; Rev Fr. Anthony Bature; Thomas Yamsa; Jolly Butuh; Magaji Yerima; Jonah Mbatswen, and others, said: “We challenge the elite in the state to rise up and close ranks among themselves and contribute their quota in the peace-building process.”
They made their positions known via a resolution after a one-day interactive forum in Wukari Local Council of the state. They urged the elite to cease from folding their hands on their chest while innocent citizens are being massacred.
“ Their prolonged silence over security challenges and destruction of lives and property in Southern Taraba is no longer golden,” they said.
While congratulating Governor Agbu Kefas and other political office holders on their victory in the 2023 general elections, they said: “We call on the governor to ensure the return of the displaced people, especially in Central and Southern Taraba, some of whom have been away from their homes for over four years.”
Source: The Guardian