Taraba: Warring parties reach truce

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

Peace may be heading to southern part of Taraba state, following a resolution by the three warring factions to unconditionally lay down their arms and embrace peace.

This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting chaired by the Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar with representative of the Fulani, Meyetti Allah, Jukun and Tiv in Taraba at the Government House Jalingo to bring an end to the hostilities in the crises areas of the state

The meeting, which followed the recent Federal Government’s expanded security meeting held at the weekend, was attended by chairmen of the affected local governments, royal fathers, community, religious, youth representatives and other organizations represented at the meeting have all agreed to forgive each other and embrace peace in the interest of the area.

The communiqué, signed by representatives of the parties vowed to work with the state government and security agencies to achieve stable peace in the state.

The state government however, said all victims and displaced people of the crisis would be compensated to enable them resettle with ease.

The state government urged all displaced people to return to their homes.

“Government would collaborate with Benue state government to recover about 3000 cattle stolen during the crisis.”

The parties said no group should be blamed for instigatiang and escalating the crisis, blaming external forces for the crisis and agreed to maintain peace in the interest of the people.

The meeting said the crisis had no religious under tone as portrayed by some politicians.

The state government however, pledged to support securities agencies in the state to consolidate on the progress so far achieved.

The Special Assistant to the Acting Governor on Media and Publicity, Aaron Artmas, who confirmed the meeting to our correspondent said “ the Ag. Governor is personally committed to the restoration of peace in southern Taraba.”