By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Catholic Diocese of Wukari in Southern district of Taraba State has sent an SOS to the Federal Government in the wake of continued attacks on farming communities in Takum and other parts of the diocese that has led to the death of over Fifty persons in recent weeks, including women and children.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday night at the end of a Three Day workshop on ‘Pastoral Care and Counseling for Traumatized and Distressed IDPs of the Diocese’ jointly signed by Very Revd Fr (Prof)Anthony I. Bature (Vicar Administration),Very Revd Fr Simon Akuraga (Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Wukari ) and Revd Fr Moses Angyian (NCDPA Chairman, Catholic Diocese of Wukari).
The statement notes that over Three Thousand persons have been killed, with over Fifty in recent weeks, and 335 communities and Churches destroyed with property worth Billions.
“We wish to address an issue of great concern to us as Priests, Consecrated Persons and Laity of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, which is the past and ongoing killings in Southern Taraba by Fulani terrorists.
“Crises in this part of the state in the last three decades have led to the killing of over Three Thousand(3,000) persons, the complete destruction of over Three Hundred and Thirty Five (335) rural communities and churches as well as the displacement of over Three Hundred Thousand (300,000) people (Catholics and non-Catholics alike), most of whom are widows, children, orphans.
“This marauding terrorists attack individuals, families and communities, wielding sophisticated weapons, machetes and knives, to maim, kill and wantonly destroy property and means of livelihood with impunity. In most cases when they displace the local communities, they immediately move in to occupy their homes and farmlands.
“In the past two months, there have been constant attacks on several communities in Ussa and Takum Local Government Areas. Some of the recently attacked communities in Chanchanji ward of Takum alone include Kwanta, Dooshima, Demevar, Amadu, Tsejor, Tse Gbenger, Ioveer, Sember, Akera, Jabi, Ayu, Agenga, Adekpe, New Gboko, Torsee, Yongoba, Tor-Lijam, Dogon Gawa, Imbor, Akesa. Also attacked are Kapsitswa, Kapsi, Waesi, Sati Tsinya, Wakan, Kwabu 1 and Kwabu 2 across Ussa Local Government Area. Over Thirty persons have been reported killed in Ussa and over Forty in Takum Local Government Areas.
“The Federal Government has reiterated severally her commitment to end killings in the country. However, it is worrisome to note that these attacks and killings have been intensified in the past days with little or in most cases, nothing being done by security agents to stop the attackers. Many of the displaced who are now in various IDP camps are left unprotected and unattended to.
“While we appreciate the effort of the Taraba State government to intervene in crises situations in some parts of the State, we expect the government to extend the same gesture to areas currently affected in Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas.
“We use this opportunity to call on the Federal, State and Local Government Authorities of the affected areas to expedite actions to stop these senseless killings and wanton destruction and to provide immediate relief materials for the displaced persons. It is also important to facilitate treatment for the injured, most of whom cannot afford proper medical care as they have lost their means of livelihood to the attacks. The return, reintegration and rehabilitation of the displaced persons should also be given the desired attention. These people are peaceful farming communities and should not be chased out of their homes just to feed cows.
“As we continue to work and pray for peace, we also call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to be opened to HELP from wherever it can come from to end killings in the country”.
The Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Police Command CP Betty Otimenyin who confirmed the renewed attacks said that the command is working to bring the situation under control.
CP Otimenyin told our Correspondent that the terrain and nature of the attacks have made it challenging to act as the killers attack communities randomly and retreat to their hideouts before information could reach closest police outposts and patrols.
Unconfirmed media reports also indicate that the Commandant of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army Gen Kingsley Uwa have read the riot Act, promising decisive action against those creating security challenges in the Takum axis.
