Group decries lack of commitment in ending Tiv-Jukun crisis

The Shitile Development Association, Abuja,  has decried what it described as lack of commitment by the federal and the Taraba State governments to end the Tiv-Jukun crisis in the southern part of the state. The group, which is an association of the Shitile clan in Abuja, also condemned the hostilities between the two ethnic groups […]

The Shitile Development Association, Abuja,  has decried what it described as lack of commitment by the federal and the Taraba State governments to end the Tiv-Jukun crisis in the southern part of the state.

The group, which is an association of the Shitile clan in Abuja, also condemned the hostilities between the two ethnic groups which have led to loss of lives and destruction of property worth billions of naira.

The association issued a statement at the end of its 5th executive inauguration ceremony at Afri Hotel, Abuja, on Saturday.

The statement, signed by the newly inaugurated president, Mr  Steve Shaku, said “We condemn the manner the crisis has been managed right from the beginning by local, state and federal governments as well as other stakeholders.

“We have seen lack of commitment from the handlers of the crisis in failing to initiate genuine, sincere and proactive measures that can engender lasting solution to the ugly incident.

“A situation where reconciliatory meetings are alleged to be going on and the crisis is escalating on a large scale to other peaceful communities does not show any sense of commitment in resolving the crisis.

“It is also ridiculous to see that no single Tiv man from Taraba where the crisis is domiciled is included on the list of the reconciliatory team that was constituted by government. This does not reflect the principle of true reconciliation.”

The association also clarified that the crisis in Wukari, parts of Takum and Donga in Taraba State was between Jukun and Tiv in the state and not  Tiv of Benue.

The association used the opportunity to call on government at all levels as well as the international community and the traditional institutions to ensure that Tiv clans in Taraba were recognized and integrated as natives, and as having the same rights as Jukun and other ethnicities in the state.

Shaku said history shows that a large chunk of the Shitile, Ukum and Ugondu clans of Tiv were indigenous to Taraba State and it was high time they were recognized as such.