Musa Affos (Rhapsodi)

The youth of southern Taraba have condemned the lingering Tiv/Jukun crisis and hence profer solutions.

These was contained in a press release organized by southern Taraba Youths Forum on the lingering Jukun/Tiv crises held on 23rd august, 2019, at Sanaf Suites Jalingo, Taraba State.

While speaking, Danlami Dodo Magaji, the secretary of the organisation condemned the press conferences, protest by a 'suppose' certain part of  the Tiv to malign  Elder Statesman Rtd, Gen. T. Y Danjuma and Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, as well as attempt to smear the good relationship between the Jukuns and President Muhammadu Buhari.


The group as gave the Tiv, seven (7) days to reopen the roads from Wukari to Takum, Wukari to Donga, Takum to Katsina-Ala, Donga to Mararaba, Wukari-Kente and Wukari-Tsokundi, which have crippled economic and agricultural activities of the areas.

Magaji however urge the warring parties to sheath their sword and live as one

Below is the press release:


TEXT OF WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY SOUTHERN TARABA YOUTHS FORUM ON THE LINGERING JUKUN/TIV CRISES HELD ON 23RD AUGUST, 2019, VENUE: SANAF SUITES JALINGO, TARABA STATE.

Gentlemen of the Press:

The attention of this forum and the good people of southern Taraba has been drawn to the series of misleading write ups and press conferences carefully orchestrated by the Tiv to malign the Jukuns, our illustrious sons in the persons of the respected Elder Statesman Rtd. Gen. T. Y Danjuma and Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, as well as attempt to smear the good relationship between the Jukuns and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Prior to the ongoing altercation, silent killings, kidnappings, guerilla warfare, banditry and armed robbery perpetrated by the Tiv  have become a daily occurrence for our people on the Wukari-Takum, Takum- Katsina Ala, Rafin Kada- Donga, Donga- Mararaba, Wukari-Kente and Wukari-Ibi axis, which have systematically crippled economic, social and agricultural activities of our people.

 In addition, they killed this prominent Honourable Members of the Taraba State House Assembly in the persons of Hon. Kasuwa  Agbu of Wukari constituency in June 1992  and Hon. Barr. Hosea Ibbi of Takum I Constituency in December, 2017. May their souls rest in peace, Amen.


It is against all these deliberate provocations that the Jukun man has remained silent and accommodating because of the desire to maintain peace with our Tiv neighbours. Before going further, let me correct the erroneous misconception concerning the crisis in all the publications, because the Tivs have always been the aggressors but make the most noise, in order to attract public sympathy.

Gentlemen of the Press, for instance, the present conflict had its genesis in the unprovoked attack on Kente town by the ever aggressive Tiv militia on a market day. On that fateful day, some Tiv women from Benue State came to buy fish as usual from Jukun women in Kente. Three of their kinsmen from Benue attempted to prevent them. One the assailants was apprehended and the other two escaped. This innocuous development however aggravated tension along the Benue/Taraba boundary, which degenerated to the burning of several houses in Kente.

Subsequently, sporadic attacks were launched on Jukun villages such as Chonku; now renamed Tse Sanganyi, by the Tiv, Rafin Kada, Asun, Sondi, Tsokundi and Wukari on several occasions and numerous other Jukun settlements, that now lie in ruins.

In order to nib the crisis in the bud, the Paramount ruler of Wukari, the Aku Uka, His Royal Highness Dr. Shekarau Angyu,  immediately summoned a peace meeting held at his Palace on 4th April, 2019.

 In attendance at the meeting were the Chief of Sankera, His Highness Chief Abu K Shuluwa, and his District Heads, the Local Government Chairmen of Wukari in Taraba State and Ukum Local Government in Benue State as well as the police officer in-charge of Kente, representatives of the military and others.

It is on record that on that occasion, Chief Abu K Shuluwa openly indicted his kinsmen by asserting that they ought to have prevented the business women from going to kente, while they were still within Benue State. He cautioned them to be of good character. Unfortunately, a day after this very important peace meeting at the Aku Ukas Palace, the Tiv militia attacked Wukari town, a clear indication that they were not ready for peace.

Undaunted by this uncooperative attitude of the Tiv people, the Governor of Taraba State, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku with his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom convened another meeting which took place at the Federal University, Wukari.
Keen observers will note that several other similar peace meetings took place again at the Federal University, Wukari, Makurdi in Benue State, Akwanga in Nassarawa State to mention only a few, all facilitated by Governor Darius and Governor Ortom.

Therefore, how can a Governor who has committed enormous goodwill and resources to ensure peace and married to a Tiv woman, be accused by the Tiv of being the mastermind of a conflict that predates his administration?
You may also wish to recall that some Tivs were displaced in the Central Zone of the state particularly Gassol L.G.A as a result conflicts with Herders; these IDPS had lived in camps for years and many of them who had lost hope started relocating to Benue State. However, His Excellency Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku led Administration as a man of peace took practical measures in facilitating their resettlement to their homes in Taraba State.   


We are of the strong conviction that the present crisis has remained intractable because of the uncooperative attitude of the Tiv, whose sinister motive is to promote their so called ten point agenda, which they presented as a pre-condition for any meaningful engagement.

They have adduced as their reason for launching attacks on the Jukuns political marginalization, relocation of Federal University, Wukari, denial of indigenes letter among other sundry complaints.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me announce to the world that the expansionist tendency and land grabbing attitude of the Tiv nation, which are not hidden facts, have been responsible for the incessant attacks, because they believe that they will use their numerical strength to colonize their host community.


Permit me to set records straight, the Tivs have never been politically marginalized in Taraba State, rather, the Tivs are the most fortunate ethnic group. For instance, the Jukuns out of their magnanimity have elected Gbaondo Hitler to the Federal House of Representatives, Dooga Gbashi represented Donga constituency at the Taraba State House of Assembly, to mention just a few.

Similarly, many Tiv people have been appointed into political positions under the Administration of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, and other past Administration such as Mrs. Rebecca Manasseh as commissioner, David Orbee Orchiv, Justin Adagi and Samson Tor Musa, all have served as Special Advisers, while many others have rose through the civil service to become Permanent Secretaries such as Denis Orkuma Nev and Orngo Mellah, who is the Clerk of the Taraba State House of Assembly. Others include the Managing Director of TARCMA Engr. Daniel O.

Akaalian and many other Tiv civil servants occupying several sensitive and juicy positions in Taraba State civil service.
On the accusation that Tiv sons and daughters are denied indigenes letter, we are curious as to how Tivs have secured admissions into higher institutions, employments into Federal and State services, if they were denied such letters.
Pressmen, it is unfortunate that the Tiv whose students at the  Federal University, Wukari constitute about Sixty percent and a sizeable number of academic and non-academic staff of the institution, are  the ones agitating for its Relocation, because of their unexplained hatred for the Kwararafa Kingdom.

It is therefore curious that the Tiv who never called for the relocation of University of Agriculture, Makurdi at the peak of their crisis with herdsmen in Benue, are now championing the relocation of Federal University, Wukari.

For the avoidance of doubt, no student, let alone a Tiv student or staff were hurt or killed in Wukari as confirmed by the University authority.
Let me also categorically state here for the records that the Jukuns have never blocked any Federal highway to fish out any Tiv man, rather, it is common knowledge that the Tiv Militia have way laid and killed in cold blood, innocent Nigerians in Benue state on the pretext that they were hunting for Jukuns.

 I therefore, call on the Federal Government to disregard the foolish call for the relocation of the prestigious Federal University, Wukari. That agitation is borne out of historical hatred and envy of the Tiv man for any good thing that will come to Jukunland.

Ladies and gentleman, it is laughable that the Tivs who have several village heads in Wukari, Takum and Donga Local Government Areas have suddenly decided to accuse Governor Darius of not recognizing them in traditional institutions.

WAY FORWARD;
We as members of the Jukun Youths Forum, who are law abiding and peace loving citizens are of the opinion that the crisis cannot be resolved through barrels of the gun or propaganda on the mainstream media or the social media, but only through genuine dialogue, negotiation and compromise.

We are also of the opinion that one of the causes of the incessant conflict is the lack of proper demarcation of the border between Taraba and Benue states. In the interest of peace, the Benue state government should stop frustrating the completion of the demarcation exercise of the boundaries between the two states.

We are giving the Tiv seven (7) days to reopen the roads from Wukari to Takum, Wukari to Donga, Takum to Katsina-Ala, Donga to Mararaba, Wukari-Kente and Wukari-Tsokundi, which have crippled economic and agricultural activities of the areas. At the end of this ultimatum, we will be left with no other option than to conclude that the Tiv are not ready for peace.

We also demand that the Jukun Wanu, Etulo and Wurkuns in Benue state, be accorded same political, economic and social recognitions that Tivs enjoy in Taraba state.

The government and the security agencies should keep a close watch on the activities of prominent Tiv sons and daughters in Taraba State, as they are alleged to be covertly funding the intractable war in southern Taraba.

We also demand that the following sons and daughters of southern Taraba, who have been kidnapped, ransom paid, yet are still under captivity of Tiv militia should be unconditionally released immediately. They include;

 USSA LGA,
Mathias Hosea
Andenyangtso Filibus
Ande Maigida.
  DONGA LGA,
Idibore Bawa
Danladi Danjigawa
Shagari Bello
   TAKUM LGA,
Dr. Sule Audu and his two children
Dr. Sunday PMO General Hospital Takum
Nwunuji Musa
 Helen Zachariah
 Tanko Wassa
  WUKARI LGA,
Barr. Yabura O. Lina
Bahija  Idi Gongoro
Aisha Ahmed
Abdullahi H. Ahmed
We also wish to call on security agencies in Taraba state to intensify effort towards ending the challenges of inter-tribal wars, kidnapping and banditry which have engulfed the state.

This forum appeals to Government and security Agencies to clamp down heavily on all persons found to be frustrating the peace efforts whether they are Jukuns, Tivs or any other group of persons, as we consider them criminals and do not represent their ethnicity with their evil behaviours. 

Henceforth, the Tiv should desist from insulting or bringing to disrespute the names of our respected LEADERS, Rtd. Gen. T.Y Danjuma, and Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku and others.

In conclusion, we wish to appreciate the federal government on its effort so far to unravel the unfortunate incident that led to the killing of three policemen and one civilian in the state. We also sympathize with the families of the deceased and pray God to comfort them.

Thank you and God bless us.