Bauchi: Untold story of Tafawa Balewa crises
Investigations by Weekly Trust showed that crisis had been lingering in the area for over 50 years, the latest episode waiting to be ignited. Various degrees of crises occurred in the area in 1948, 1959, 1991, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2010 and 2011, with hundreds of lives lost. There are many reasons given as the causes […]
Investigations by Weekly Trust showed that crisis had been lingering in the area for over 50 years, the latest episode waiting to be ignited. Various degrees of crises occurred in the area in 1948, 1959, 1991, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2010 and 2011, with hundreds of lives lost. There are many reasons given as the causes of frequent clashes between Sayawa and other communities in the area, all to do with chieftaincy and ownership of Tafawa Balewa. While the remote cause of each fracas differs, various governments in Bauchi have set up commissions of inquiry but government is yet to act on the recommendations of the panels.
The Secretary of Za’ar Elders and Traditional Rulers Forum, Barrister Bukata Zhadi told Weekly Trust that the crisis started since 1948, reoccurring because of the attitude of the Bauchi Emirate and the Bauchi State government, undermining the Sayawa and denying them chiefdom. Zhadi said during attacks on their community, some were killed or maimed, while others were burnt. He added that the only way to maintain permanent peace is to allow the Sayawa to have their chiefdom headquartered in Tafawa Balewa as recommended by BabaLakin Commission of Inquiry.
The Secretary of Tafawa Balewa Development Association (TABTODA) Mallam Yunusa Ado said crisis in the area started since 1959, which the Sayawas always ignite to realize their objective of driving away all non-Sayawa inhabitants from Tafawa Balewa town and Lere district with a view to declare the chiefdom for themselves. Yunusa alleged that the main propelling force behind the Sayawa’s transgression against other tribes is their quest for farmland, which they want to acquire at all cost.
Yunusa added that Tafawa Balewa and Lere district do not belong to the Sayawa because over 90% of the people of Lere district are non-Sayawa. He said: “Sayawa constitute only 10% of the population but their original home is Bogoro. Yet they continue making efforts to invade Tafawa Balewa in their quest for farmland. Even in politics, Sayawa have produced only one councillor.”
Senior Special Assistant to the State Government on Media, Sanusi Mohammed, said government is worried about the fracas in Tafawa Balewa. “Various administrations have not made it any easier, anyway,” he said, adding that the governor has set up a committee to harmonize the various Commissions of Inquiry reports, while threatening to demolish the town if it continued to be a battle ground. Meanwhile, he said, government is working with the Bauchi Emirate to get the correct history of Tafawa Balewa.
Mohammed appealed to the people in the area to embrace peace as it will help to bring socio-economic development in the state. “The incessant crises in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government draw us back. We should stop. It will only end if people in the area are ready to embrace peace.”