Many feared dead as Tiv, Jukun tribes clash in Taraba

There was a fresh crisis between Jukun and Tiv tribes in Wukari, south of Taraba State on Saturday in which many are feared. Fleeing residents said many houses were razed and several people injured in the clash.

Villages belonging to both tribes along Wukari Kwatan Sule, Chonku and border communities of Jootar and Vaase have been affected by the conflict.

Several people were killed in the renewed conflict between Jukun and Tiv ethnic groups in villages along Wukari Kwatan Sule in Wukari LGA of Taraba State. Many houses have been burnt and several persons from both sides injured.

The crisis had earlier in April spread to Benue where at least 10 people were killed in an attack on Vaase village in Ukum LGA. The community is at the borders between Benue and Taraba.

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The two tribes have in an unending conflict, fighting mostly over farm lands and politics for the past 70 years, without a permanent solution.

Speaking on Saturday’s attack, A Jukun community leader, Bako Benjamin, said despite the peace accord reached last week between the two warring communities, “Tiv ethnic militias have continued to launch pockets of attacks on our communities.”

“Just this morning in the wee hours, they struck at Chonku firing sporadically and razed down houses. They attacked four of our communities in the last three days and as I am talking to you, corpses of 15 people killed by Tiv militias have been deposited in Wukari and we have compiled their names.”

However, Orbee Uchiv, a Tiv spokesman, denied this.

“Our people are being attacked by Jukun ethnic militias in recent times. A peace meeting at Jootar, a border town between Benue and Taraba States convened by one Rev Father Dankaro and other priests to sue for peace was truncated.

‘’Thursday morning, Vaase, a border town was attacked by Jukuns. More than 12 people were killed. Probably on reprisal this morning, Chonku, a border Jukun settlement, was attacked.

“As I am talking to you now, looting, arson and killing within and around villages of Tiv people is going on and hundreds of Tivs have fled to Benue state,’’ he said.

The chairman of Wukari local government area, Daniel Adi, confirmed the outbreak of crisis in the area.

He also said many were feared killed and houses burnt in the last five days of fighting.

“I have since reached out to the Chairman of Ukum local government in neighbouring Benue and the Security Adviser to the Benue Governor and we are making efforts to stop the escalation of the crisis,” he said.

Reports also indicate that commercial activities have come to a halt at the popular Wukari Yam Market as shops were looted.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, David Misal, said security operatives “were on the top of the situation.”

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