Stop violence now, Taraba gov appeals

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

The Taraba state Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, has appealed to the people of Wukari Local Government Area to eschew violence and embrace peace to foster development in the state.

Umar made this appeal at the presentation of relief materials to victims of the recent crisis in area, in Wukari.

Represented by Head of Administration, Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Douglas Dogara, the acting governor called on the internally displaced persons across the troubled areas of the state to tolerate one another for a peaceful society.

“I call on all the internally displaced persons in Wukari and other local government areas of the state to tolerate one another for a peaceful society.

“Government is doing everything possible to find lasting solutions to the unfortunate crisis in the state and to assist the victims.”

Umar said the eight trucks of food items presented were donated to the state by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Mr Gideon Utika, the Desk Officer of Wukari Local Government, received the items for onward distribution to the victims.

The gesture was also extended to other victims of the crisis in Ibbi, Kente, Danacha and Sabon Gari areas of the state.

Utika, however, said that with the 24-hour curfew imposed on Wukari town, it was difficult to take census of the affected persons.

He said a distribution committee, comprising the council chairman, traditional rulers, security agencies and representatives of major tribes in the area such as Jukun, Tiv, Hausa and Fulani, had already been established to handle the exercise.

At the weekend, stakeholders in the community resolved to unconditionally lay down their arms and embrace peace.

However, the curfew imposed on Wukari, which was earlier relaxed to run from noon to 6 a.m., had been fully re-imposed due to fresh threats to peace in the area.