By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Catholic Diocese of Wukari in Southern district of Taraba State has sent an SOS to the Federal Government in the wake of continued attacks on farming communities in Takum and other parts of the diocese that has led to the death of over gifty persons in recent weeks, including women and children.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday night at the end of a 3–day workshop on ‘Pastoral Care and Counseling for Traumatized and Distressed IDPs of the Diocese’ jointly signed by Very Revd Fr Anthony I. Bature (Vicar Administration),Very Revd Fr Simon Akuraga (Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Wukari ) and Revd Fr Moses Angyian (NCDPA Chairman, Catholic Diocese of Wukari).
The statement noted that over three thousand persons have been killed, with over fifty in recent weeks, and 335 communities and Churches destroyed with property worth billions.
“We wish to address an issue of great concern to us as Priests, Consecrated Persons and Laity of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, which is the past and ongoing killings in Southern Taraba by Fulani terrorists.
“Crises in this part of the state in the last three decades have led to the killing of over Three Thousand(3,000) persons, the complete destruction of over Three Hundred and Thirty Five (335) rural communities and churches as well as the displacement of over Three Hundred Thousand (300,000) people (Catholics and non-Catholics alike), most of whom are widows, children, orphans.
“This marauding terrorists attack individuals, families and communities, wielding sophisticated weapons, machetes and knives, to maim, kill and wantonly destroy property and means of livelihood with impunity. In most cases when they displace the local communities, they immediately move in to occupy their homes and farmlands.”
the availability of the National Judicial Institute to assist in prioritizing appropriate training through seminars and workshops for members of the Tribunal and the supporting staff.
