Jukun-Tiv Crisis: Nasarawa Governor Sule Sues For Peace

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasaraw State is suing for peace between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups in Benue and Taraba states especially as the country battles to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The governor made this call on Tuesday during a meeting at the Government House in Lafia, the state capital to broker peace between the two warring parties.

“We are the same people, we have TIVs in Benue and Taraba states but let each of them see the two States as their homes. Let them not consider a situation where once we have a problem, we run to where we have the majority of our people.

“If we continue to do that, we would not solve these problems. It will not make any sense especially at a time like this when the whole world is fighting COVID-19 and we have our brothers and sisters who want to live in peace being killed and their assets destroyed in the name of a petty problem that has nothing to do with life.

“I am praying and hoping that this will be the first and the last meeting so that we can have a lasting solution to this and every one of you will write your name in gold that you have finally come here, face each other directly, solve this problem and we have gone back and our people are living finally in peace,” he said.

The meeting which held behind closed doors was chaired by the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe and had the deputy governors of Taraba, Haruna Manu and his Benue state counterpart, Benson Abounu in attendance.

Also, in attendance were security personnel, traditional rulers, lawmaker and government functionaries from the three states.

This is not the first meeting held between the two groups but the governor hopes that this mediation will ignite a lasting solution to the conflict.