From: Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), of Tiv extraction have called on the Taraba state governor, Agbu Kefas to adhere to constitutional provisions of the law for equal protection of citizens especially the Tiv.
Hon. Peter Achibo, the IDP leader made the call in a press statement on Monday.
The displaced persons leader lamented what he described as a deliberate attempt to evict the Tiv from Taraba, especially in the Wukari LGA, expressed dismay over the state government decision to forcefully acquire over 150 hectares of land each, from the communities of Ikyaior and Jandekyula for the establishment of a Military Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the area.
Achibo alleged that while the Jukun communities have been provided with security and support to return to their ancestral homes, following the violent Jukun/Tiv conflict on 1st April 2019, the Tiv displaced persons continue to face systematic obstruction preventing their return to date.
The IDP leader also claimed that after 283 Tiv villages in Wukari, 69 in Donga, 37 in Ibi and several others in Takum LGAs have remain abandoned, representing a displaced population of over 300,000 Tiv people, Taraba state government has failed to act in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, despite repeated appeals for the government to provide security and enable the safe return of displaced persons in the southern part of the state.
“While the Jukun communities were swiftly provided with security and support to return to their ancestral homes after the Jukun/Tiv violent conflict since 2019, the displaced Tiv persons continue to face systematic obstruction, preventing their return.
