Worried by renewed bloody killings between the warring communities of Jukun and their Tiv brothers in Taraba State, the Mutual Union of Tiv in the United Kingdom (MUTUK), has called on both parties to sheathe their swords.
The Union insisted that the time to sheathe the bloody swords in Southern Taraba is now.
The President of the Union, Mr. Kohol Shadrach Iornem, on behalf of the Management Committee of MUTUK, expressed deep concern over what he called “renewed endless violence, killings, bloodbath, acts of arson and wanton destructions of properties between the warring communities of Jukun and Tiv predominantly in the Southern senatorial district of Taraba state.”
He said it is regrettable that these unfortunate conflagrations have spiraled into the border communities of Taraba and Benue states.
The President said MUTUK finds it extremely difficult to understand the refusal of the internecine conflagrations to abate, despite several interventions by security agents, including the Nigerian Army, the Governors of Benue, Mr. Samuel Ortom and his Taraba State counterpart, Dairus Ishaku.
He also regretted that the intervention of traditional and religious leaders as well as other political leaders have failed to calm frayed nerves.
“We consider it an unreasonable response to these pleas by these warring actors.
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“We are not only astounded at this reality, but the further shameful confirmation that the over a year of violence, killings, bloodbath, displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, dislocation of social life and the damaging of economic treasures for a people who are basically agrarian farmers are potent existential threats now and in the nearest future.”
Mr Iornem who pointed out that violence and bloodletting have never resolved any dispute any where, said they must embrace dialogue as a sure way to resolving the crises.
MUTUK President in a press statement signed by the Union’s Publicity Secretary, Ms Salome Biam and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, said “It is not our intention to blame any group of persons or community for the reprehensible conflict. But we desire to appeal to all warring factions to sheathe their swords and embrace peace for the sake of humanity, posterity and God.
“We are aware that development and prosperity do not thrive where there is no peace. Our brothers and sisters must realize and court the wisdom to live in peace and harmony and consciously work towards it to bring development to our people and communities.
MUTUK expressed profound appreciation to both the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Governors of Taraba and Benue states for their intervention and urged them to redouble their efforts by urgently using the powers of Government at their disposal to bring an end to the killings and destructions.
They also called on all concerned leaders not to relent until they achieve peace and security in the troubled Taraba Southern Senatorial district and environs.
“Mutuk believes that whatever must have caused the crisis is not a problem beyond all stakeholders of both groups to resolve amicably and peacefully on the dialogue table. Whilst we pray Almighty God to touch the heart of everyone to drop arms, we pray for the repose of beloved ones who have lost their lives in the bloody skirmishes. May their families be consoled,” he said.
