From: Bamidele Fasube
Following persistent crisis in Wukari with increasing casualties
recorded over the years, a group of Taraba elders on Thursday, accused
Taraba Governor, Architect Darius Ishaku of fueling crisis in the
State.
Loading ...The elders said, despite that it is the constitutional responsibility
of the governor to protect the people irrespective of religion or
political differences, state funds are unfortunately used to fuel
crisis by supporting youth militias, who are predominantly Jukuns in
the state.
In a chat with 247ureports.com, one of the elders disclosed that if the
crisis is not addressed it would completely collapse economic and
political development of the State.
It was gathered that Ishaku appointed a Jukun as security officer
despite the marginalization against other ethnic groups.
“There is no way as chief security officer of a state, Governor and I
want to make my appointment, and I know that this is crisis prone
area, I will not go there to pick one of the parties to appoint. It is
like Buhari appointing commander of Boko Haram to be his National
Security Adviser. So the governor appointed Jukun Christian as
security adviser from Wukari, so what message are you passing to the
Muslim communities?”
A source who does not want his name mentioned said, after the last
crisis which questioned emergence of the current governor, 24 hours
after the conflicts, security operatives were yet to intervene in the
situation. “The leaders are not helping matters because they have not
shown any sign of commitment calling on indigents of Wukari
irrespective of the religious divides to come together, sit on the
same table and see how this problem can be solved.
“Rather, you see all of them playing nonchalant attitude and that is
why people believe most of them are culpable to committing to this
crisis.” Asked of the involvement of the current governor, he stated
that “disposition of the current governor has clearly showed in the
last crisis that he could be partaker in this crisis.
“I am saying this because, when the crisis started, it took hours……it
started in the afternoon up to the evening of the next day; there was
no single soldier or police sent to quell the situation. Aside from
that, we the indigents, there are things we cannot come out and
disclose.”
“I am not afraid of anybody, Jukuns consider three things as most
revered, God, King and Death. They cannot see God, so they consider
the Akuka, paramount ruler of the Wukari kingdom as God and whatever
he says, stays. So if he really wants this situation to be at rest,
Akuka would have done that,” he added.
Already, over 20, 000 people have lost their homes to the crisis and
scattered all over Taraba, Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau including
Abuja and Kano. Basically, the crisis is between Christians who are
predominantly Jukuns and the Muslims. There are also minority groups
such as Igbos, Tivs who are Christians yet been threatened by the
Jukuns.
Wukari is believed to be a fertile land for agriculture where people
from across the neighbouring states converge to farm and transact
other businesses.
So far, over 20 attacks have been carried out in the area since 2014
with huge casualties.
“Guns are being carried in broad day light by the Jukun youths across
the streets without anyone to caution them. They claimed to be
protecting the community. They are officially recognized by the
paramount ruler and a portion of the local government budget is being
used to fund the group.”
President, Wukari Federation Muslim Ummah , Sanny Sule while
commenting on the situation urged elders and the Local Government
chairman to intervene. He appealed to the State government to seek
further support from the military and take quick action.
He alleged the paramount ruler in the state tilted supports to the Jukuns.
According to him, an elder, who was a Federal Permanent Secretary and
Former Deputy Governor doesn’t “agree that people who are armed, local
militia should be disarmed and disbanded. He doesn’t agree with that.
So how can we ever achieve peace?
“People come from all over the country to farm in the local government
because of the fertility of the land. But it’s unfortunate that
whenever there is crisis, they are the one that falls victim. They
just kill them and nothing happens.
“Imagine, an elder who went to bail a youth arrested for robbery?
Please tell me, what impression is he giving to the youths?
“So we want government to intervene and help us solve this situation
and disarm these youths.”
