Tiv/Jukun Crises: Benue, Taraba Officials Hold Talks in Lafia
In their efforts to establish peace between the Tiv and Jukun communities especially in the border communities between Benue and Taraba States, the governments of both states have held a joint security and mediation meeting.
The meeting which was hosted by the government of Nasarawa State, held at the hall of the Nasarawa State Government House on Tuesday April 14, 2020.
In his opening remarks, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule appreciated the governments of Benue and Taraba States for granting Nasarawa State the honour of being the host of such a meeting.
He said Nasarawa State occupies a strategic position, sharing borders with both states and also having Jukun and Tiv people who are indigenes of Nasarawa State.
According to him, this makes Nasarawa State share in their progress as well as their struggles.
Making a case for peaceful co-existence, Governor Abdullahi Sule said: “It will not make sense that when the whole world is battling with an unseen enemy in COVID-19, then we will now be killing, maiming and destroying each other’s properties.”
He then charged all present to keep all sentiments aside and make contributions that will lead to lasting solutions to the communal crisis that has lingered for ages.
After giving his remarks, Governor Sule handed the meeting over to his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe who served as the host and the mediator. The meeting then went into a closed-door session.
Engineer Haruna Manu and Engineer Benson Abounu, the deputy governors of Taraba and Benue States respectively, led government officials and some community leaders from both states to the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, a communique was issued. The resolutions contained in the communique were read by the deputy governor of Taraba State, Engr Haruna Manu.
Engr Manu disclosed that they were able to agree for a cessation of all forms of hostilities from both warring sides to allow for more dialogue.
The meeting also resolved that all those who have been displaced by the crises would be allowed to return to their homes and their farms especially as the rainy season was already at hand.
The governments of both states were also urged to deploy security agents to the troubled spots to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
The meeting also agreed that the Governors of Taraba and Benue States should meet at the soonest possible time to further resolve issues relating to the crisis.
The Governor of Nasarawa State was requested to ensure his colleagues meet.
