KENTE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (KDA)

 Kente Town, Wukari Taraba State

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

TIV AGAINST PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN KENTE:

 

It is with extreme sadness and dismay that we write this press release on the renewed attacks, destruction of farmlands and barbaric killings of the Jukun people by the Tiv Militias in Kente town of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. 

 

Residences of Kente and its environs have been attack these few days on daily basis by some gang of armed Tiv Militias from Benue State.

 

The Kente Development Association wishes to draw the attention of the Nigerian Government, under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari, Taraba State Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku, Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, Wukari and Ukum Local Government Councils Chairmen and Wukari Traditional Council that Kente town in Wukari Local Government Area has been under systematic and premeditated attacks by Armed Tiv Militias from Tse-Hengadiya town of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The singular aim of the current renewed attacks and hostilities on Kente is to prevent our teeming population of farmers from farming activities. We have confirmed that the Tiv people have vowed not to allow the Jukun people in Kente, Rafin-Kada, Chonku, Tsokundi and Akwana Wards of Wukari Local Government Area to engage in farming activities during this rainy and cropping season. The Tiv slogan now is "the Jukuns must not farm".    

 

We recall that on 21st April, 2021 at about 9:10 AM farmers from Kente town were attacked in their farms, were Mr. Jacob Agbudouvgye Abe was killed with several others injured. Also on 7th March, 2021 Danya Paul, Danjuma Jatua and Emmanuel Kopsank were killed at Byeban in Assa. Another barbaric and callous killing took place on 14th April, 2021 were three people were also killed by armed Tiv Militias in Rafin-Kada, those killed are Mrs. Wando Bako Tsokwa, Mrs Blessing Dantani Bako and Mr. Ladan Luma.  

 

Therefore, this press release is purposely to draw the attention of the Federal Government, Taraba and Benue States Governments and our representatives at various levels of government (House of Assembly, House of Representative and Senate) to our plight as a people who have been under systematic attacks by the Tiv Militias with the sole aim to prevent us (the Jukuns) from this season farming which is our only occupation and source of livelihood.

 

It is very sad and disheartening that the Tiv Militias have resorted again to the killing of the Jukun people and attacking the Jukun communities despite the normalcy that has been restored. This is very sad to say the least that the Tiv people are against peace and peaceful coexistence in Taraba State.

 

Actually there have been skirmishes between Tiv/Jukun around Kente District. But we want the general public to know that in spite of these skirmishes, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku,His Majesty, Aku Uka, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi, Kuvyo II, the Kenten of Kente, His Highness Dr. Istifanus Sabo Izheuwhe, Jukun Youths and Socio Cultural Development Association in collaboration with Kente Development Association, Jukun Elites and Stakeholders have left no stone unturned in ensuring that peace and harmony have been restored and normalcy returned between Jukun/Tiv not only in Kente, but Taraba State as a whole. This is clearly revealed in the various community, security, peace and reconciliation meetings that were initiated and implemented in Wukari and Taraba State.

 

Despite these positive steps, good initiatives and peace efforts of Governor DDI, Aku Uka, Kenten of Kente and Jukun compatriots the Tiv Militias and their sponsors in their devilish quest to prevent the Jukun from farming have resumed their antics of guerilla warfare and attack on Jukun communities. Today, our people are killed unabatedly on daily basis. The governments must act now and with full alacrity as stitch in time saves nine.   

 

Finally, we wish to categorically state that:

 

1. Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and Tiv political and traditional leaders should call their Militias to order to embrace peace.

 

2. Armed Tiv Militias should stop killing our farmers in the farm and attacking Kente and Jukun communities.

 

3. The Security Agencies should do everything within their reach to arrest and prosecute the killers of Mr. Jacob Agbudouvgye Abe and those killed in Rafin-Kada, Byeban, among others with immediate effect.

 

4. We urge Taraba State Government and Federal Government to investigate this motive of renew attacks on our communities by the Tiv Militias.

 

5. The Federal and State Governments should mobilize and deploy more security personnel to Kente and its environs for sustainable peace and protection of lives and properties in line with their primary responsibilities

 

Signed:

 

Fred Ugbu Job                                       Ayuba Hosea

 

    Chairman                                             Secretary