Life returns to Taraba communities after farmers, herders upheavals
The communities in Taraba State which became desolate, following herders, farmers upheavals that sent hundreds of the residents of the affected villages parking, have started bubbling with life and normal activities. Utsua Daa, Baafada Bali, Maihula, Kussum, Badakoshi, Suntai and Takalafiya in Bali Local Government Area of the state, had erupted in crisis in May. […]
Farmers at work
The communities in Taraba State which became desolate, following herders, farmers upheavals that sent hundreds of the residents of the affected villages parking, have started bubbling with life and normal activities.
Utsua Daa, Baafada Bali, Maihula, Kussum, Badakoshi, Suntai and Takalafiya in Bali Local Government Area of the state, had erupted in crisis in May.
The crisis began when a number of Fulani herdsmen stormed the communities after the residents had gone to their farms and unleashed terror. Several houses and property in the community were destroyed during the mayhem.
Though 11 persons reportedly died, other embattled residents, numbering 4,000, including children, who ran for dear life after their houses and other property had been destroyed, ended up in camps as internally displaced persons.
They had camped at two IDPs centres in Gassol and Bali which are now empty now that the IDPs have returned to their ancestral homes.
Hitherto, peace seemed to have eluded some communities in the state, following past upheavals between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups, which also led to wanton destruction of life and property.
Governor Darius Ishaku had reportedly succeeded in ensuring the gradual return of persons earlier displaced as a result of the past upheavals (between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups), which led to wanton destruction of life and property when another crisis erupted in May.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that there is a new lease of life in the Utsua Daa and Baafada with relative peace.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP David Misal, who confirmed this, however, disclosed that more surveillance was still ongoing to ensure the stability of security.
The IDPs who are predominantly farmers are now fully back in their respective villages with their family members and have fully resumed their farming activities.
Daily Trust Saturday gathered that the Fulani and Tiv that were involved in the conflicts had met late last month in Jalingo and signed a cease-fire agreement aimed at bringing an end to the hostilities between them.
Alhaji Adamu Abacha, the Sarkin Fulani of Bali and Zaki David Gbaa, the Ter Bali of Tiv signed the agreement.
It was agreed that the Tiv displaced should be allowed to return to their homes.
Governor lshaku also issued a directive that all the displaced persons should return to their areas and adequate security be provided.
He also issued a directive that all traditional rulers in the affected areas must ensure that nobody took over any land belonging to the returnees.
At Maihula area situated along Jalingo_Bali, all the destroyed round huts and other structures belonging to the returnees are being repaired.
One of the returnees, Mr Bulus Gbaa, told Daily Trust Saturday that all the returnees had reclaimed their farmlands and had started planting their crops.
“As you can see, all of us are back to our homes and we are on our farms working. But we need assistance because we lost all our belongings, including foodstuffs during the attacks,” he said.
Another returnee, Mr John, said they found life difficult during their stay in the camp.
He called on the Taraba State Government to assist them with farming materials and money because they are starting life fresh.
Some of the returnees expressed appreciation to their host community for protecting them and keeping their children and some of their belongings intact during the attacks.
They also commended the Taraba State Government for providing them with relief materials.
They also lauded some churches that supported them with cash and relief materials while they were in the camps.
Daily Trust Saturday’s finding also revealed that all the returnees’ lands were handed over to them in Maihula area which enabled them to return to their occupation which is their major means of livelihood.
A community leader, Alhaji Adamu Maihula, said that nobody tampered with any farmland belonging to the people.
He added that the Tiv had been living in the area for the past 35 years and were integrated into the mainstream of the host communities.
“You can see that all the returnees are now working on their farms. Some of them have repaired their houses, while others are trying to do so, “ Maihula said.
The wife of Governor lshaku, it was gathered, is now going round to meet the returnees to render them help.
The president of Tiv Cultural Association in the state, Mr John Ayagwa, said that the major challenge facing the returnees was shelter.
On the alleged taking over of farmland belonging to the displaced persons, Mr Ayagwa noted that there were isolated cases in some areas which were being addressed.