Wukari council boss, frustrating Governor Ishaku’s peace efforts- Tiv community.
Worldview Magazine.
The Mbaterem Community of Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State has accused the Wukari Local Government Chairman, Hon. Daniel Adi Grace of frustrating the peace efforts of the Executive Governor of Taraba State Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku in the ongoing Tiv/ Jukun crisis.
In a Press release signed by some leaders of the community, Mr. Nicholas Azege, Aondowase Tar and Edward Haanongon on behalf of the community and issued to journalists last Wednesday, the people alleged that a very large portion of their land has been demarcated and shared among some kinsmen of the LGA under the directives of the chairman.
According to the release, the land spanning from Zege-ate, Ikyernum, Daa, IKyaayaa, Ikyo-gbolum, Tar Orshi, Tor-Musa down to Tor-Iorshaer located in three different Council wards including Tsukundi, Chonkwu and Rafinkada, estimated to cover over 27km square has been surveyed, designated, layout and shared among kinsmen of Hon. Adigrace.
“A bulldozer from the LGA was brought by the Hon. Chairman to demolish Tse-Atsenga, a Tiv Community located East of Wukari town between Wukari and Tsukundi, economic trees were pulled down, graves excavated and corpse of our ancestors exhumed, even as the remaining buildings are demolished.
“It is unthinkable to see that this ugly act of inhumanity to human is perpetrated by a people whom we coexisted for over centuries.
“We are also grossly disappointed by the activities of the Military personnel posted in the area who have abandoned their primary responsibility and are participating in this communal rattle.
“The officers posted in Tor-Iorshaer under the leadership of Flt. Lt. Adamu Hassan and Lt. P. O Eze are not just depriving the Tiv people from returning to their ancestral homes, but are always indifferent when armed Jukun youth attack and kill our people who attempt to return to their ancestral homes. They equally pursue our returnees to pave way for the chairman’s gang to survey our lands undisturbed.
“We want to draw the attention of the Federal Government and the Executive Governor of Taraba State as well as the general public to this dangerous time bomb being planted by Wukari LGA Council Chairman, Hon. Daniel Adigrace, for a quick intervention to avoid a resurgence of the crisis that is almost lay to rest”. Part of the release reads.
The community further felicitated with the Jukun people of Wukari and the entire Kwarafa Kingdom over the installation of the 25th Aku- Uka, Elder Manu Ishaku Ada Ali and expressed hope that he would swing into the matter to prevent resurgence of the age long crisis.
While interacting with the Chairman of Wukari Local Government, Hon Daniel Adi Grace on phone, he did not deny the allegations but stated that, Tiv people in the Local Government are ingrates, owing to what he has being doing to them.
“Despite all the efforts I have being making to ensure their safety in this area, they have burn down my house and destroy my farm produce.
“At the peak of this crisis, my people burnt down my house because I was accommodating Tiv people. How did the Tiv people now expect to co-habit with others who no longer trust them because of their actions? It is sad and unfortunate. Adi stated.
