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AN ENDANGERED SPECIE: The Sad Story of the Tiv People of Taraba State

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The Tiv people of Taraba State are majorly found in Southern Taraba with a good number of them in the Central area of the state. Historical accounts proved the indigeneship in both migratory and constitutional aspects. However, even with its status as one of the major ethnic groups indigenous in the state the Tiv ethnic group has faced alot of derogatory and inhumane treatment from her neighbours, one of which is ethnic profiling. This work look at the negative effect of this ethnic profiling and other derogatory terms used against the Tiv people in Taraba State such as settlers.

As earlier stated the history of Tiv indigeneship in Taraba State predates the creation of Taraba State itself, as one of the states in the Nigerian Federation. As a matter of fact, several writers and scholars such as Akombo, Jibo, Agbu, Shishi e.t.c outrightly acknowledged the indigeneship of Tiv people in Taraba State, an event which predates even Gongola state from which Taraba State was created on August, 1991.

Despite this historical facts, the Tiv are carefully sidelined as part of the state in political and socio-cultural activities on the ground that they’re settlers who are not worth legitimizing in the Taraba State affair. The idea of tagging Tiv as settlers in Taraba State emanated from the southern Taraba area where the Tiv are indigenous in large number, and steadily spread across Taraba State.

The social effect of this derogatory term ” Settlers ” on the Tiv is so much so that, no matter how the friendship between a Tiv boy or girl and a fellow Taraban is, the other moves around with the feeling that the Tiv friend is from Benue State where the Tiv people are largely dominant indigenously. The attempt to make him or her believe that, it is not so makes the Tiv friend appear as forcing himself on Taraba indigenously.

While the settler identity is customized on the Tiv people of Taraba State, they’re economically being crippled by continuous crises. Since 1959, as recorded by different writers the Tiv people in Taraba State have been into one form of crisis to other, all geared towards weakening their economic, political and socio-cultural relevance or development in the state.

Today, more than half percent of Tiv lands in Taraba State are turned into grazing areas as a result of crises perceived to be backed by state powers. Tiv villages such as Tor-Iorshaer, Tor-Musa, Imande-Ade, Tortser, Tor-Damisa, Ananum, Gbor-Ucha, Jandeikyula among several others are finding it difficult to regain their economic strength because continuous crises have weakened the inhabitants.

Even as we speak, some of these villages mentioned above are deserted and Fulani herders are seen grazing on peoples graves as one travels from Wukari to Takum unchallenged.

The most recent agony is the profiling of the Tiv ethnic group by her neighbours and even those in authority who are believed to defend citizens as such powers are accorded to them constitutionally. The Tiv ethnic group in Taraba State is now paraded as kidnappers and criminals including those whose villages are deserted and are trying to reoccupy them. The security architecture in Taraba State now view the Tiv people as a trouble-loving people and criminal-minded people who should be dealt with at any given opportunity.

The prove to the above assertion is not far fetched, as security agents are seen always burning down Tiv communities with the claim of dislodging criminal camps. This incidents are seen with naked eyes and are undeniable even to the newly born babies. The Tiv ethnic group in Taraba has become a target to both her neighbours and security agents for elimination.

The psychological effect of this coordinated crime against an innocent ethnic group whose only crime is that their geographical location found them among people whose minds are not civilised to the evolving nature of human societies, is very disturbing.

With all that has happened and is still happening, one can clear see the endangered life the Tiv people of Taraba State are living.

Torkuma Luper Moses
President, Taraba Tiv Youth Development Forum (TTYDF).

INEC Chairman, REC offices should be advertise – Falana

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Legal Luminary, Femi Falana has said that to fix Nigeria’s electoral system the office for INEC Chairman and Residents Electoral Commissioners should be advertised.

Falana also maintained that some lawyers in Nigeria deliberately sabotage the system, insisting that Nigeria must decide not to allow lawyers and judges to decide who is an elected representative.

Falana spoke at the Haske Satumari Foundation annual colloquium with the theme, “Electoral And Judicial Reforms: The Imperatives on Nigeria’s Democracy, Governance, Leadership and its selection processes,” held at the Yar’Adua Centre Abuja on Thursday.

“Our leadership recruitment is a fraud. Some of us get into positions of leadership simply by the mercy of God. Not because of fat Bank account.

“We must develop rules that are clear and transparent. Our process is far from being transparent. To strengthen democracy, electoral reform is important.

“Also, comprehensive judicial reforms became expedient because every election circle had its legal regime.

“For the judiciary, there is an urgent need to safeguards its independence and integrity. What we witnessed is partisan interference,” Mutfwang said, adding that the judgment that came out as a result of the 2023 elections petitions, even professors of law became confused with the legal jurisprudence.

“Both the lawyers and the judges must up their game. Time has come when lawyers must tell their clients “you have a bad case. Judges and lawyers should not determine who wins the election,” Mutfwang added.

He said injustice in the electoral process starts from constituency delineation adding that the country must have a way of resolving it.

Speaking on democracy in Nigeria, Mutfwang said while he doesn’t believe in throwing the baby and the bath water, added that military rule will never be inclusive and democratic but a government of few people by few people.

“We can’t afford to return to the dark days of military rule. We didn’t have a clean constitution in 1999. Falana is here. That’s what the military brought and we must not return to military rule,” Mutfwang said.

……..bbbb

“Electoral system is good. What we should remove is the intervention of the court.

“Let’s make the electoral process transparent, transmit the results from the polling unit to the server and insist on electronic transmission.

“If you must know, judges are not suited to determine who wins election. Because they were not there. The winner should be determined by the electorates and not judges,” Falana said, adding that Nigeria has the most election cases in the world.

“Pre-election matters should be decided before the election. All pre-election matters should be concluded before swearing in.

Tinubu was sworn in, he became ECOWAS leader and we were still determining whether he won the election or not. So, it is a mockery of the system.

“As soon as the election is concluded, all the electoral materials should be made available to the aggrieved party.

The rigmarole that goes on in an election has to stop,” Falana said, adding that in appointing INEC chairman and Residents Electoral Commissioners, the position should be advertised.

“The best three names should be sent to the Senate for screening. We must go back to the Uwais panel report. All election petitions should be concluded before swearing in,” Falana added.

Speaking, former President Goodluck Jonathan who declared the event open, said Nigeria must move forward through open conversation at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium.

Represented by the Vice President during his tenure, Arch Namadi Sambo, Jonathan said he hopes that the outcome of the colloquium will help in the development of Nigeria.

The Mayor of Entebbe in Uganda, Facrice Rulinda, said Africa must look at things that can work for its democracy adding that even in the US, not everybody elects their president.

“In Africa, we talk about one man, one vote. Civic education is lacking. The people must know that their vote is their voice, so they should not sell it,” Rulinda said, adding that only action will lead to African integration.

The Convener of the colloquium who is also the founder of the Haske Satumari Foundation, Kudla Satumari, said the conversation will help in shaping political discussion in Nigeria as the country prepares to amend the constitution and the electoral act.

“Some of the discussions will be valid in the electoral amendment process. The keynote speakers made valid points. We must ensure that all pre elections causes are settled before the election. We must ensure that all cases are concluded before swearing in.

“Also, we must ensure that the Justice Uwais panel report is implemented. All election cases should be concluded before the swearing in. Judges should not determine the true winner of an election,” Kudla added.

Abuja Is Better With An Unelected Leader – Mayor Of Entebbe

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The Mayor of Entebbe in Uganda, Fabrice Rulinda has disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja is better without an elected political leader.

According to Rulinda an appointed leader in Abuja who is not thinking about the next election can focus on developing the city unlike someone who is thinking on how to get votes.

“Abuja is better off not having an elected political leader. Abuja should not have a mayor,” Rulinda said while giving his view on the discussion whether Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city should have a Mayor.

“Politicians consider votes more than development. If Abuja should have a Mayor, an elected politician might be thinking about how to win the next election and not development. So, having an appointee as the head in Abuja is better, ” Rulinda, adding that elections have not given Africa the real effect it ought to, calling for a rethink.

According to Rulinda, the continent has been copying democracy from the western world but does not adopt a system that will lead to the growth and development of the continent.

Rulinda stated this in Abuja ahead of this year’s colloquium organized by Haske Satumari Foundation which will open conversation on electoral and Judicial Reforms.

Rulinda, who is a special guest at the annual colloquium with the theme: “Electoral And Judicial Reforms: The Imperatives on Nigeria’s Democracy, Governance, Leadership and its selection processes will be joined by Nigerian leaders including former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Human Rights activist and lead council, Falana and Falana Chambers, Mr Femi Falana SAN, former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki amongst others on Thursday.

“Election has not had the effect we thought it will have,” Rulinda said, while calling for electoral reforms and attitudinal change from politicians.

“Elections in Africa are decided based on who bought the most sugar, salt, and share most of the money and there must be a return on investment.

“Do our electorate understand democracy? Electorates wait for money, the politicians give them the money and after winning, they recoup their money. This is bad,” Rulinda said.

While urging Africans and African leaders to understand the true meaning of democracy, Rulinda said if there is no democracy in homes and families – which is the smallest unit of the society, then the system used at home should be applied in politics.

“Many think election time is time to make money. For the Mayor, Governor and other elective offices after the election, if they share money with the electorates, they may go silent for the next four years,” Rulinda said while decrying how many politicians don’t work with their opponents after winning election.

“The one who wins and will not work with the one who loses. If the interest is for development, we must work together for a common interest. We need to develop our own kind of governance,” Rulinda said, insisting that only honest conversation like the up coming Haske Kudla Foundation Colloquium will help in chatting a new way of democratic practice in Africa.

“When we start having honest conversations that make us uncomfortable like the one we will have on Thursday, things will work right. We must be intentional as Africans in developing our democracy.

“We need to do away with foolish things like tribalism, ethnicity and religion.
Let’s start looking for ideas and think on how to develop,” Rulinda said, adding that politicians are part of the problem in Africa.

“We now have more takers than givers. African politicians are not benevolent. They got it from the people, refused to invest in the country and moved to Europe. There is corruption in the west but they don’t take their wealth to other continents.

“African leaders need to understand that their governance needs to be for their people. When we say people, it is not your immediate family but the generality of the people that voted for you,” Rulinda said.

We didn’t hire private negotiator over 287 school pupils abduction -Kaduna Government

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Contrary to reports earlier published by a major newspaper saying Kaduna Government hired a private negotiator to release the 287 school pupils kidnap in Kuriga 1, the Kaduna State Government in a statement signed by Signed Muhammad Lawal Shehu Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kaduna State said “the attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to an outrightly mischievous and false report in the Punch Newspaper of 9th March 2024 stating that the Kaduna State Government has hired a private negotiator to facilitate the safe return of school children abducted in Kuriga community, Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State.

“We wish to state categorically that the Kaduna State Government did not hire any private negotiator, neither are we contemplating make such a move. The hiring of a private negotiator only exists in the fertile imagination of the Punch Newspaper reporter. The Kaduna State Government has a clear policy on non-negotiation with terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

“We urge members of the Press to be cautious in the way they craft and publicise their stories on security in order not to jeopardize the efforts of Government and security agencies in degrading criminal elements laying siege to our communities. If the Punch Newspaper had made efforts to contact the Kaduna State Government, they would have gotten the correct information. The Press are our partners in progress. Our doors are always open. ” It stressed.

Punch Newspapers had earlier reported that Negotiations for the release of no fewer than 287 abducted pupils and teachers of the Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga 1, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have begun.

The report say highly placed source in the Kaduna State Government House, who is close to the negotiations but pleaded not to be identified because of security reasons, said that the state government had reached out to the bandits through a private negotiator (names withheld) for the release of the pupils and their teachers.

According to Punch private negotiator is a highly influential negotiator who has been involved in negotiating several abductions with bandits in the past.

Bandits had stormed the LEA Primary School, Kuriga, around 8.30am on Thursday shortly after the assembly gathering and abducted the pupils and some staff members of the schools.

It was learnt that the secondary school was relocated to the primary school premises as a result of insecurity in the area.

Governor Uba Sani, who visited the school on Thursday, gave an assurance that the abducted pupils would be rescued unhurt.

Sani while addressing the community members said, “In my capacity as your elected governor, I am assuring you that by the grace of God, all the children will return unhurt.”

However, less than 48 hours after the abduction, which triggered national outrage, an official source said the government had reached out to the bandits for negotiations to release the 287 abducted pupils and the staff members of the school.

The source said, “The military has begun combing the forests in search of the children kidnapped by the bandits. Security agents have cordoned off the area and they have started searching for the abducted pupils.

“The government is doing all it can for the speedy release of the abducted school pupils.

“The government has established contact and reached out to the bandits for negotiation through a popular bandit negotiator. The negotiator was the one who worked for the return of some of the students abducted some years back.

“He (the negotiator) had negotiated the return of so many abductees in the past. He negotiated the return of those students abducted in Katsina State years back.”

CISLAC Urges Government Action to Protect Women and Girls in Nigeria

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By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has issued a compelling call to the Nigerian government at all levels to urgently address the multifaceted challenges confronting women and girls across Nigeria.

In commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of CISLAC, highlighted the pressing issue of insecurity haunting women and girls.

He pointed out that violence, kidnappings, and banditry continue to threaten their safety, citing the recent kidnapping of over 100 females in Borno State.

Comrade Rafsanjani emphasized the critical need for comprehensive gender policies at all tiers of government. He underscored the National Assembly’s pivotal role in expediting the passage of essential Gender Bills to safeguard the rights and well-being of women and girls nationwide.

Addressing the alarming escalation of domestic violence, rape cases, and incidents of sexual harassment within tertiary institutions, Comrade Rafsanjani called on the National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders to take decisive action. He urged them to protect survivors and ensure swift justice for perpetrators.

CISLAC’s advocacy extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging his prompt assent to the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Education Institutions Bill. This legislation is crucial in combating the pervasive culture of harassment and abuse in academic settings, fostering a safer environment for learning and development.

As CISLAC amplifies its voice in championing gender equality and justice, it remains committed to driving tangible change. The organization is dedicated to fostering a society where the rights and dignity of women and girls are upheld and protected without compromise.

NGF-NNN Benefits: My clients suffering from garnishee order-Defense counsel, Usman

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The matter between New Nigerian Newspapers Retirees Versus Federal Government, New Capital Properties Limited and New Nigerian Newspapers resumed today Thursday 7th March, as Defense Counsel Yunus Ustas Usman SAN said “What happened today is that, the case is for Hearing. It is garnishee proceeding.They brought a temporary order to restrain us from operating any of our bank accounts. Today, their lawyer said that he should be given another appointment since they are trying to settle out of court. And so far my client is worried that this proceeding has prevented him from paying salaries, even buying fuel and servicing their cars and I oppose him because I haven’t been informed. So the court said in the interest of justice the matter has been adjourned to 23rd April, 2024 for Hearing .

Also in another exclusive interview with Newsguide Online, Iweka said ” PTAD have paid but my clients are shortchange, can you imagine somebody on level 14 will be receiving N30,000 monthly, some receiving N3000 so it shows the computation was totally wrong because their counterpart in other Federal Government agencies because New Nigeria is under Federal Government. Other agencies under Federal Government, are they receiving pension like that of New Nigerian Newspapers no, their own is high, they are receiving one hundred and something per month, two hundred, three hundred, five hundred. Why would the retirees of New Nigeria receive less so that is why we come to court. They should pay them what is due to them.”

On garnished accounts Iweka, said despite the claim of suffering by the defense counsel the court order must be obeyed. “The Court court has given a garnishee order withholding their monies untill they pay the retirees which they have not done and that is why the money is there. Until the case is over we will now know whether they will fulfit the money or claim it”

Out of Court settlement

Whereas defense counsel said the Claimant didn’t informed him on out of court process, Iweka said “the other Party (defense counsel) is asking for settlement and we can’t say no to such a move it’s until we can’t succeed before we come back to court. The court adjourned to 23rd April.”

Zamfara Police rescues one of abducted worshippers

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The Zamfara State Police Command said it has rescued one of the worshippers abducted in a mosque in Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

Reports say that bandits abducted scores of worshippers during morning prayer in the mosque on Thursday.

But in a press statement on Friday, the spokesperson for the command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said three people were abducted.

Abubakar said one person was rescued and reunited with his family after being medically checked.

He said, “On February 29, 2024 at about 05.30am, unknown armed men suspected to be armed bandits with sophisticated weapons surreptitiously sneaked into a Juma’at mosque on Hospital Road of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State with the intent to perpetuate massive abductions’.

“However, the worshippers managed to escape except three elderly persons who were later abducted to an unknown destination.

“However, upon receipt of the information, quick response of the command’s tactical teams mobilised and went into a search and rescue mission.

“The team followed the suspected bandits close to the Dangajeru Forest, forcing the bandits to abandon one of the victims who could not meet up with their moving steps, and was rescued.

“The Operation is still ongoing with the view of rescuing the other two remaining victims’.

”Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Police Command, MD Shehu Dalijan, reassured the good people of the state that the command, in collaboration with the state government, will do everything humanly possible to ensure normalcy is restored in the state.”

Gombe records 6 death, treats 84 meningitis cases

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The Gombe government says it has recorded six deaths out of the 95 suspected cases of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in the state.

The state recorded suspected cases of the disease in Nafada and Funakaye Local Government Areas.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, stated this at a news conference on Thursday in Gombe.

He said the ministry had deployed a medical team to Nafada to contain the disease sequel to the report about cases with symptoms suggestive of CSM.

“Out of the 95 people admitted, 29 samples were collected; out of the number, only two from Funakaye LGA were positive.

“Eighty-four persons were treated and discharged, six people were still on admission,” he said.

Dahiru said the six deaths recorded were not enough to declare the disease an outbreak because they have not reached the threshold for CSM, which is 10 confirmed cases in a population of 100,000 in one week.

He said the state, in collaboration with partners, activated an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) comprising the WHO, UNICEF, and NCDC for suspected CSM and also ruled out Lassa fever.

According to him, the EOC is saddled with the responsibility to control the spread of the detected CSM cases in Funakaye.

Dahiru said that EOC has deployed the state and local government Rapid Response Team (RRT), to engage traditional rulers in the affected communities on how to sensitise the public to the precautions against CSM.

“We will also sensitise religious leaders to CSM to enable them to make announcements during worship sessions.”

The commissioner said the ministry had supplied drugs and consumables for free management of suspected cases, as well as sample collection for onward transmission to the NCDC laboratory in Abuja. (NAN)

Catholic Archbishop blasts Government as bandits kill 11, burnt 28 houses in Kaduna community

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The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna Archdiocese, Most Reverend Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso on Tuesday lambasted elected politicians in Kajuru Local Government and Kaduna State for keeping quiet after the gruesome killing of 11 people and burning of 28 houses in Adamawa Dutse village, Idon ward of Kajuru Local Government.

Very Reverend Father Daniel Kyom, Dean of Rimau Deanery who represented the Archbishop of Kaduna Archdiocese said “the State Government, the Local government , that’s Kajuru , the Chairman should come and visit this people and see what has happened to them, you can see the destruction of lives , properties especially food here, this is to make sure the survivors also die of hunger, they were not elected to kill people with hunger so the State Government, the Chairman of the Local Government should come and see what has happened. This idea of making abnormal things normal is wrong. How can people loss their lives and no government presence to show concern, they only talk, nobody sees anything on ground. Politicians were elected to work for the people, they should come and work for the people now, they can’t keep quiet. ”

On whether State Police will solve the reckless killings, Father Kyom maintained that the ordinary person doesn’t want to know about duplication, what the common man knows is to strengthen security for his survival, even with the state Police, if the right thing is not done, we won’t get results. The Federal Government, the State Government should do what they were elected to do. They were not elected to make things worse, they were elected to strengthen security, protect lives and properties. It is not our job to secure our lives, the job is their, we entered a contract with elected leaders to secure our lives. So if I entered into a contract with you and I do my own part and you don’t do your part it’s wrong.”

“This people have been peaceful, the Archbishop is saddened, we cannot give into fear now, this is the time to practice the faith, this is a season of lent, a season of forgiveness, sharing and praying, we will continue to pray, we will put our faith into action with this community, we will pray with them and help them, we are only agents so God will take care of his people in his own way, this will encourage the faith, rather than discourage the faith.” Kyom stressed.

Earlier Reverend Father Emmanuel Okpara who is the priest in Charge of St Joseph under which St. Julius Adama Dutse is operated said that “it was on Sunday morning at 06:08am when we got the news, it was the military timely presence that helped the community, the soldiers having been on patrol as usual. We will sustain the evangelism here, God’s work must continue”

Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Anthony Peter lamented that ” the politicians we voted for have abandoned us in this trying moment, we have always been peaceful here but these people decided to attack us. We call on government to help us.”

Tension as Jukun Militia open fire on Taraba IDPs, kill scores in Wukari LG

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Kingsley Eze

Suspected Jukun militias have today, 25th January, 2024 killed yet to be identify number of Internally Displaced Persons IDPs and destroyed all the houses mended by the IDPs who have returned in different locations in Wukari Local Government Area, home of the Executive Governor of Taraba State

The incident is coming shortly after the chairman of the Local Government, Hon Dauda Samaila had visited the IDPs and asked them to returned back to where ever they were taking refuge untill they follow due process.

Sources disclosed that the Jukun militias attacked the returned IDPs at different locations including Tor-Iorshagher, a Village located about 15kms away from Wukari to Rafinkada, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State

They Stated that the attackers had earlier vame in the night and destroyed all the houses they built before returning during the day to open fire on them

Mr Moses Yanoor, a brother to one of the deceased, Sesugh Yanoor, who was among the groups attacked, disclosed that the militas came in the afternoon of Thursday, 25th January, 2024 around 4:00pm with heavy and sophisticated weapons and opened fire on them when they were mending their destroyed houses

He said they came shooting sporadically and in the process of scampering for their safety, the deceased could not make it just as several other persons sustained different degrees of injuries

IDPs burying one of the bodies in a shallow grave today
In another location, the militias in a similar operation opened fire on the returned IDPs around 5:00pm at Ikyernum, a community located about 17kms along Wukari-Tsukundi Road and killed yet to be identify number of Persons and injured several others

Narrating the incident to our reporter in a telephone conversation, Mr Haanongon Edward, a resident of the area who was among the persons attacked said they were mending their destroyed houses around 4:00pm when the Jukun millitas came with sophisticated weapons.

“They asked us to start parking or count our last days. In the process of trying to reason with them, they opened fire on us. As I am talking to you, I am in the bush, I don’t know how many people they have killed so far

“We don’t actually know what to do about this. Just yesterday, the chairman of Wukari LGA, Hon. Dauda Samaila had visited us and told us to go back to were we were taking refuge, insisting that we must follow the laid down procedures before coming back to resettle here.

“We pleaded with him that, in our impression, the crisis is over and we are no longer comfortable with taking refuge in strange lands for over four years, so he should allow us to stay and mend our destroyed houses to enable us have a place to put our heads during the raining season.

“We promised him that, in our own part, we will be law abiding and will continue to cooperate with the local government leadership in particular and the authorities in general, so as to sustain peace but he insisted that we must vacate our communities or take whatsoever we see and today, we are having this ugly situation.
“We are calling on the State and Federal Government to come to our aid. We are also calling on heads of security agencies to charge the officers deployed here to be neutral and protect us from Jukun Militias. They came here in broad day light, opened fire on us and go freely where as we have security check points all over here”. He lamented

All efforts to reach out to the Chairman of the Local Government proved abortive as he was not responding to neither calls nor all the text messages put across his line