A group called the Wukari Local Government branch of Tiv Cultural and Social Association (TCSA), Taraba State have rejected what they described as a one-sided peace committee in resolving the Jukun/Tiv crisis in the area.
The group’s Chairman, Paul Igo and Secretary, Anthony Shembee, in a statement on Tuesday, condemned the killings and destructions occasioned by the Jukun/Tiv crisis and faulted the alleged non-inclusion Tiv people of Taraba in the peace committee.
“We commend the move by the government of Taraba and Benue in constituting a peace and reconciliation committee that would bring lasting solutions to this lingering crisis.
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“In as much as we commend the initiative to constitute a peace committee, we reject in its entirety the non-inclusion of a Tiv person from Wukari LGA of Taraba State in the committee.
“We want to place it on record that Kente, where the crisis started, is in Taraba state and the public should note that Ikyaior, Gbor-Gbor, Iorlumun Nege, Ioryina Tor-Musa and Tar-Orshi among other communities that were burnt down in the crisis by Jukun youth are all in Taraba State.”
The group claimed that the non- inclusion of the Tiv people of Taraba State in the committee was a deliberate move by some actors to sell a wrong narrative to the public that the crisis is between the Jukun of Taraba and the Tiv of Benue. They thereby called for a review of the committee.
According to the group, allowing the committee to stand will not produce the desired result of restoring peace and tranquility in the area.
“Lack of social justice is the main reason for the age-long Jukun/Tiv conflagration and for lasting peace to be achieved justice must be allowed a chance and the truth be given priority.”
The group also advised that, for the committee to have any meaningful impact, it’s composition should carry along all the critical stakeholders on both sides of the divides.
