(Taraba state. photo by punch newspaper)
In an effort to put an end to years of bloody strife in the state, the Fulani and Tiv communities in Taraba State have agreed a comprehensive peace framework and declared an immediate ceasefire.
The conclusion came after Governor Agbu Kefas called a high-level peace and reconciliation meeting at the Jolly Nyame Stadium’s gym hall in the state capital of Jalingo.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, security agencies, government officials, and the media gathered for the meeting, which was presided over by Malam Isa Yuguda, the president of Tabital Pulaaku International and former governor of Bauchi State.
In his speech, Yuguda emphasized how urgent it was to bring peace back to the impacted towns and bemoaned the fact that the protracted violence had caused property damage, fatalities, and disruptions to socioeconomic operations.
“To restore peace, immediate and coordinated effort is needed. He declared, “We cannot permit criminal gangs and outside forces to persist in causing instability in our communities.
Both ethnic groups have lived in harmony for more than 200 years prior to a breakdown in sociocultural beliefs that led to conflicts, according to a statement released at the conclusion of the discussion.
Zaki David Gbaa Tela, the Ter Taraba, and Alhaji Muhammad Mafindi Danburam, the Fulani, signed the communiqué on behalf of the Tiv.
As part of the resolutions, the parties pledged to immediately end hostilities and dismantle criminal gangs and armed formations. They also decided to identify gang leaders and turn them over to security services so they could be prosecuted.
The participants in the communique called for rigorous commitment to justice and the rule of law, emphasizing that criminal acts must be dealt with impartially.
Along with a judicial assessment of cases involving wrongful imprisonment, it also called for a stop to harassment, extortion, and the illegal arrest of herders and community members.
In terms of land and resource management, stakeholders agreed to support regulated migration and land-use regimes to reduce cattle rustling and related crimes, and to forbid arbitrary land allocation without proper consultation.
Three institutional structures were also authorized by the communiqué: the Barna Assessment and Settlement Committee, the Inter/Intra-Boundary Banditry and Migration Control Committee, and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) return committee. These organizations must function with inclusive representation at the village, ward, local government, and state levels.
The gathering advocated for the evacuation of illegally occupied premises and the unconditional repatriation of internally displaced people in order to promote immediate recovery.
Additionally, it supported the resuscitation of the Barna Assessment and Settlement System as a conventional method of compensation and conflict resolution.
The stakeholders reiterated their commitment to enduring peace, and the decision was described as binding.
This is a legally enforceable declaration of peace. The communiqué said, “We commit our communities to the immediate and permanent halt of hostilities.
In order to improve community safety, the group also suggested creating joint vigilante and surveillance squads as well as a Rapid Response Situation Room for real-time security coordination.
🚨 BREAKING: Watch the full clip here ➤
