SYLVANUS VIASHIMA, Jalingo
The Catholic Diocese of Wukari in the Southern district of Taraba State has sent an SOS to the Federal Government in the wake of continued attacks on farming communities in Takum and other parts of the diocese that have led to the death of over 50 persons in recent weeks, including women and children.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday night at the end of a three-day workshop on ‘Pastoral Care and Counseling for Traumatized and Distressed IDPs of the Diocese’ jointly signed by Rev Fr (Prof) Anthony I. Bature (Vicar Administration), Rev. Fr Simon Akuraga (Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Wukari ), and Rev Fr Moses Angyian (NCDPA Chairman, Catholic Diocese of Wukari).
The statement notes that over 3,000 persons have been killed, with over 50 in recent weeks, and 335 communities and churches destroyed.
“We wish to address an issue of great concern to us as Priests, Consecrated Persons, and Laity of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, which is the past and ongoing killings in Southern Taraba by Fulani terrorists.
“Crises in this part of the state in the last three decades have led to the killing of over 3,000 persons, the complete destruction of over 335 rural communities and churches, as well as the displacement of over 300,000 people, including Catholics and non-Catholics, most of whom are widows, children, orphans.
“These marauding terrorists attack individuals, families, and communities, with sophisticated weapons, machetes and knives, to maim, kill, and wantonly destroy property and means of livelihood with impunity. In most cases when they displace the local communities, they immediately move in to occupy their homes and farmlands.
“In the past two months, there have been constant attacks on several communities in Ussa and Takum Local Government Areas. Some of the recently-attacked communities in Chanchanji ward of Takum alone include Kwanta, Dooshima, Demevar, Amadu, Tsejor, Tse Gbenger, Ioveer, Sember, Akera, Jabi, Ayu, Agenga, Adekpe, New Gboko, Torsee, Yongoba, Tor-Lijam, Dogon Gawa, Imbor, and Akesa. Also attacked are Kapsitswa, Kapsi, Waesi, Sati Tsinya, Wakan, Kwabu 1, and Kwabu 2 across Ussa Local Government Area. Over 30 persons have been reported killed in Ussa and over Forty in Takum Local Government Areas.
“The federal government has reiterated several times its commitment to end killings in the country. However, it is worrisome to note that these attacks and killings have been intensified in the past days, with little or, in most cases, nothing being done by security agents to stop the attackers. Many of the displaced who are now in various IDP camps are left unprotected and unattended.
“While we appreciate the effort of the Taraba State government to intervene in crises situations in some parts of the State, we expect the government to extend the same gesture to areas currently affected in Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas.
“We use this opportunity to call on the Federal, State, and Local Government Authorities of the affected areas to expedite actions to stop these senseless killings and wanton destruction, and to provide immediate relief materials for the displaced persons. It is also important to facilitate treatment for the injured, most of whom cannot afford proper medical care as they have lost their means of livelihood to the attacks. The return, reintegration, and rehabilitation of the displaced persons should also be given the desired attention. These people are peaceful farming communities and should not be chased out of their homes to feed cows.
“As we continue to work and pray for peace, we also call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to be open to HELP from wherever it can come from to end killings in the country”.
The Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Police Command, CP Betty Otimenyin, who confirmed the renewed attacks, said that the command is working to bring the situation under control.
CP Otimenyin told the press that the terrain and nature of the attacks have made it challenging to act as the killers attack communities randomly and retreat to their hideouts before information can reach the closest police outposts and patrols.
