The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Taraba

  • Photos: Ailing Taraba Governor back from UK

    Photos: Ailing Taraba Governor back from UK

  • Seven killed in Taraba ethno-religious crisis

    •Police: casualty figure unknown

    Over seven people were yesterday killed in a resurgence of ethno-religious violence in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    The violence started around 5am and lasted for several hours.

    Many were injured. Some of the injured were taken to hospitals in the neighbouring Benue State by members of the Red Cross and security agents.

    It was learnt that policemen chased some people in a red Toyota car to a house near the Wukari Central Mosque.

    Sources said occupants of the house engaged the police in a gun battle and three persons were killed.

    They said gunmen set ablaze the brewery behind the palace of the Wukari Jukun, the Aku Uka, Dr. Shekarau Angyu, resulting in a fight between Christian Jukuns and Hausa-Fulani Muslims.

    A source said: “After setting the brewery ablaze, the gunmen started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of many people.”

    President of the Youths of Vision, Wukari, Tsa-Asen Luka Agbu said: “At about 5am, gunmen stormed the town and burnt down the brewery behind the palace of the Aku-Uka. They also started shooting all over the town, a situation that sparked off the crisis.”

    The situation was brought under control by security agents.

    Agbu said: “This is sad. I believe some top politicians have a hand in this.”

    He alleged that some people were benefiting from an increased security vote in the state. Agnes Bako, a student of the Federal University, Wukari, said the institution could not operate because of incessant crisis.

    The member representing Wukari II in the House of Assembly, Daniel Ishaya Gani, said there were not enough  security men to contain the insurgents.

    On the casualty figure, he said: “I heard that the military shot many stubborn boys who refused to leave the crisis area.”

    State Red Cross Secretary Lucky Naboki Agema said he did not know the casualty figure or who ignited the crisis, adding: “We were woken up by gun shots in the early hours. The casualty figure is high, but we cannot say the exact figure.”

    Police spokesman Joseph Kwaji said the command was on top of the situation, adding: “I have not gotten the casualty figure yet.”

    Motorists on the Yola/Wukari/Zaki-Biam Road sought alternative routes. Some returned to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

  • Thrilling splendour of Taraba Mountains

    Thrilling splendour of Taraba Mountains

    The general belief is that life on the mountains will be worse than in low undulating plains. But, Senior Correspondent FANEN IHYONGO, who visited the mountains and plateau of Taraba State, writes that mountain tops can also be exciting. 

    The scenery is beautiful and splendid. Life in this unusually dazzling territory is beautiful. The environment on the mountains is poles apart from that of the cities that are urbane.

    As temperature decreases on the mountains, the weather becomes enduringly cold throughout the day and night.

    The greenery assimilates most of the carbon monoxide to produce enough oxygen in the atmosphere that keeps the air unpolluted at all times.

    Fresh water spurts out of rocks. Enchanting waterfalls cascade down the mountains covered in fog. There is always potable water for year-round use. The natives believe some of the pools are therapeutic.

    The clouds are eye-catching, with rain that falls any time. There is cold even when the sun is intense. At night, the weather becomes chilly, forcing most of the locals to make fire to warm their bodies. That is the kind of life you find on the Taraba Mountains in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    Household appliances, such as fan, air conditioners and refrigerators, do not catch the fancy of the people. The weather chills drinks and the rooms. The people wear jackets or cardigans most times. They drink hot tea and brandy all the time. They eat roasted beef, known as suya, which is rich in protein, to keep warm.  Such is life on the chain of beautiful mountains. But there are challenges, too.

     

    The odds

     The challenges are many for the residents. But there are more than a few impressive and thrilling features on these high attitudes that make them, perhaps, the most attractive tourist destinations in the country.

    Gembu and Bang –the coldest place in the country with temperature hardly exceeding 19°C, are where the Taraba Mountains interlock into the Cameroon Mountains.

    At Bang, your mobile telephone line, for example MTN Nigeria, changes quickly to MTN Cameroon, same with Airtel and Glo line. Communication is always hampered.

    It takes strength and skills to hack the hills for construction of public and residential buildings. Schools exist without football fields for youngsters to practise soccer due to the uneven landscape.

    The sky appears as though kissing the land surface. There nature is at its best; and one is free from malaria and other diseases of the hot undulating lowlands. The area is free from tsetse flies; the livestock are aptly the healthiest and fattest in the country. Wild animals, particularly monkeys and squirrels, are often seen crossing roads and attempting to talk to humans. The birds fly and perch, as they chirp melodiously. They appear to be conversant with the locals and quick to identify visitors.

    The mountains have long been a sacred habitat for the cultures of the Mambilla, Kaka, Fulani, Panso and Kambu ethnic groups. The natives are generally hospitable. You will love their way of life, including their cultural regalia, songs and dances.

    Residents do not need cement to build their homes. Thanks to their sticky brown soil with which strong blocks are produced. They are as effective as cement blocks. A few wealthy residents have livened up the area with posh homes. They have also joined hands to construct a road, just more than a bush path, for motorcycles to pass through.

    So, transportation is mostly by motorcycles. Land Rovers of the old century’s models convey people’s goods. For some locals, horses and donkeys are sometimes used to attend major events, including their markets.

    One of such old-century Land Rover trucks was seen conveying fuel loaded in big jerry cans. Without a bridge, the truck amazingly crossed the river to continue its journey. A group of young men laid some sticks on the path where the vehicle was conducted to pass. They had to compact the sand of the river bed using their feet to match over it.

    “That’s how we do it here,” one youth who identified himself as Usman gleefully said in Fulfulde language. Usman added: “Not every driver can cross these rivers and drive on the mountain top. It requires special skills.”

     

    Plateau of splendour

     The Mambilla Plateau is one of the greatest tourist destinations in Africa and has one of the best climatic conditions in Nigeria. Rising to a breathtaking 1,840 meters above sea level, the Mambilla is Nigeria’s most accessible high altitude that also offers the largest and most impressive eco-system sights. The plateau also houses the Chappal Waddi Mountain considered as the highest in Nigeria. It is 2,419 metres above sea level.

    The weather, with temperature bellow 25°C, is usually cool and accommodating all year round. The plateau, the highest isolated rock in the country, is the essence of Taraba that made the state to be categorised under ‘Scenic Beauties’ in the country’s States Tourism Classification Map. The plateau is believed to have been under-publicised despite playing host to the World Tourism Day (WTD) celebration on several occasions.

    The warm Guinea Savannah climate changes sharply as one begins to ascend the plateau. The atmospheric law of “the higher you go, the cooler it becomes” plays itself out as you climb the mountains. The late Sardauna of  Sokoto once climbed the plateau on foot, quite a long time before former military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida gave the contract for the construction of the road from Bali en route Serti to the plateau.

    The road on the plateau is a metaphorical serpent, meandering and making the distance incredibly longer than imagined. This is where speed kills and you do not need to be cautioned before applying the brakes. Many are said to have lost their lives on this route when they lost control of the vehicles. Some of the wrecked vehicles are seen along the winding road.

    The plateau is located in Sardauna Local Government Area, whose headquarters is Gembu. Gembu is bordered by the Federal Republic of Cameroon and houses over 15 ethnic groups, including foreigners. It is a place that bubbles with life, in defiance to its characteristic steeply sloping topography.

    Climbing to the top of this adventurous and richly-endowed plateau on road is more exciting than by air craft. The plateau boasts of enough expedition sites, as its altitude unveils stunning views of the country as one ascends the mountain tops.

    Traveling by bus takes an average of six hours from Jalingo, through Garba Chede and Bali en route Serti. As you approach the base of the plateau, you will notice a significant departure from the tropical to cool temperate climate.

    The road meanders suddenly so much so that careless drivers are advised to employ the services of locals who are experts and conversant with the terrain. It could be terrific at the stage of ascension but you can become scared by activities of birds, chimpanzees and little mammals on the plateau.

    For instance, the sight of antelopes and monkeys can draw one’s attention and one can become more scared looking at the unnerving trenches.

    On the plateau’s top, there seems to be a confluence between the earth surfaces and the sky. The weather becomes cooler. There are thatch huts that provide shelter for herdsmen. There are also some hotels that do not provide luxury for tourists.

    The fields look beautiful, with evergreen lengthy belts of tea plantations. The “Highland Tea” is the second largest tea plantation in the world after the one in India.  Peas, coffee and strawberry yield well, with other temperate tree species that produce bountiful fruits and flowers.

    The plateau is also home to “Pure Honey” which is commonly sold by vendors. In fact, the land is so fertile that many crops, including banana, plantain, pineapple, yellow pepper; kola nut, red and white carrots, cassava, cocoa yam, sweet/Irish potatoes thrive well.

    Top of the plateau is inhabited mainly by the Mambilla, Kaka, Fulani, Panso and Kambu, with different cultural heritage. However, Fulfulde (Fulani) language is their common language.

    Hand-made crafts are still in vogue. There are traditional artefacts that are over 1, 000 years old that are still being preserved. The area is home to oil palms, ‘Christmas’ trees and other shrubs.

    Tourists are impressed by the gallery forests and the grassy scenery on which livestock graze. There are signposts often asking visitors to be friendly to the animals. The enabling weather gives rise to varying breeds of goats, sheep and cattle that produce, perhaps, the most delicious dairy.

     

    Historic sites and mythology

     There are some exciting historic sites on Taraba Mountains and the plateau one would love to visit. One of them is the Ndumyaji Cave in Mbamga. There is the rock with a giant footprint of an ancient warrior at Kabri, the rock with a horse mark at Hienary and the historic site of the ancient blacksmith at Killa Yang that has existed for centuries.

    There historic rock of the Mbar people is also stunning. The rock looks like a woman and her daughter, but no art work is applied here. It is all natural. There are also some creepy forests on the mountains, such as the Ngel Yaki and Ndum-Yaji Forests. These forests are home to uncommon species of animals, snakes, birds and tree which have attracted researchers from around the world for ‘medicinal tourism’.

    Natural water, in its purity, gushes out from the rock all the year round. But it is not meant to be packaged for sale.

    Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, once set up a water bottling company on the plateau but the water ceased its flow. According to local mythology, the water is not for sale.

     

    Untapped gold of sleeping giant

     The wealth of these exotic mountains and the plateau such as their minerals, forests, scenic sites and other tourism potential has remained largely untapped. Some foreigners have been exploring the area for possible investment. They are, however, insisting on buying the territory permanently if they must spend their money on this treasure of splendour.

    There are many waterfalls including Mayo Selbe which can adequately generate mega watts of electricity worth thrice what the Shiroro and Kaimji dams can together provide. There abound precious stones that could be tapped to shore up the revenue profile of the state.

    The plateau’s vast landscape provides a unique space for international golf course that can host international tournaments and generate revenue for the country as alternative source of revenue, aside oil. The weather is so clement for sports development.

    Mr. Walter Felhamann, a Swiss tourist who once climbed the Mambilla Plateau said: “Nigeria is a sleeping giant of tourism potential and the Mambilla Plateau is gold untapped.”

    Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, once said: “Taraba State is blessed with rich and vast natural tourism potential which can help it become a world giant in the tourism sector if properly tapped. But the Federal and state governments must provide the needed infrastructure and machinery that would attract investors for exploration and development to diversify Nigeria’s economy.”

  • Firm partner Taraba govt to combat Hepatitis B

    Firm partner Taraba govt to combat Hepatitis B

    Taraba state government is worried about the increasing number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C in the state and are making efforts to address the situation.

    Personally leading this response is the acting governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar who himself has lost a son to Hepatitis B in 2005.

    “I lost my first son, Major Umar to Hepatitis B in 2005”, said governor Umar in an emotion laden voice.

    “Umar was serving with the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Sierra Leone, but the disease was not diagnosed in Sierra Leone until he took ill and was admitted at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). By the time he was diagnosed and they found out it was Hepatitis, it was too late. So I know how it feels to be affected or even infected with Hepatitis B. If Roche had been around to render this assistance we are getting now may be my son would have been alive”, Umar added while lamenting the lack of access to information especially prevention, treatment and specialist care as major impediments to managing and respond to the disease.

    Speaking during a formal ceremony to mark a treatment, prevention and capacity building partnership with Roche, governor Umar, said the state government would do everything possible to save the lives of the people of the state and rid the state of the disease.

    “I am happy Roche is partnering with us to address this disease and if the terms of the partnership is anything to go by, then we are on our way to making significant progress as far as Hepatitis B response is concerned,” he said.

    Hepatitis B virus is one of the most infectious viruses in the world and could singularly lead to liver failure, cancer and untimely death in infected persons,” says Dr. Aisha Adamu during a media training and capacity building workshop for journalists in Jalingo on Hepatitis reporting.

    “Unlike HIV, it can stay on a surface for about seven days and it is 100 times more infectious than HIV and when an infected person can spread it in a household hence we say we are saying it is closer than you think,” She added.

    Although no official figures currently exists on the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in the state, findings from a facility based survey of blood donors in the state indicate that about 4 out of every 10 blood donors in that particular blood bank had hepatitis B or C -a situation that warranted the need for urgent steps to address the burden of Hepatitis facing the state while leveraging on support from pharmaceutical giant- Roche.

    Part of Roche’s support to the state would include provision of free Hepatitis testing for people who would be willing to screen for Hepatitis, provision of viral load testing machine, increased access to affordable treatment for those who would require treatment as well as capacity building for doctors on Hepatitis management, care and support.

    “Taraba state currently has one consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist in the person of Dr. Aisha Adamu,” disclosed Chukwudi Ehibudu Roche’s Market Access Manager who represented Roche Nigeria Country Manager, Herman Addae at the press conference.

    “Considering the size of Taraba state and the of number of patients to care for, there would be need for increased capacity hence Roche would be conducting series of specialised training for doctors in Taraba state as part of this partnership,” he added.

     

     

  • Taraba opens market

    The Taraba State government has inaugurated a modern market built by former governor of the state, Jolly Nyame seven years ago.

    Acting Governor Garba Umar had flagged off the allocation of shops at the market, which is located along Jalingo-Yola Road.

    The development is believed to be a boost to economic activities which, in turn, would shore up the revenue base of the state.

    Umar praised the state Chambers of Commerce, Traders’ Association and the Taraba Savings and Loans Limited that jointly facilitated the movement of traders to the modern market.

    He said government would evolve measures that would improve quality of life of all citizens.

    The acting governor stated that government will put in place infrastructural facilities and create enabling business environment.

    “The people must work hard, rededicate themselves to the service of the state and show patriotism through actions that are not inimical to the well-being of the state and its citizens and to avoid working for foreign interests to the detriment of the state.

    “I believe that the Jalingo modern market will usher in a new era in the social, political and economic transformation of the state and serve as a vehicle for forging unity and integration,” he said.

    Umar donated one hilux van and a bus to the management of the market for surveillance, promising that government will ensure that lives and property at the market complex are protected.

    Chairman, Board of Directors of the Taraba Savings and Loans Limited, Umaru Baba said “the market will promote the social status and economic viability of the Jalingo community.

    “For this reason, no amount of government capital investment could be considered too much in establishing a market with modern structure and facilities as this one.”

    Baba assured Umar and the people of Taraba State that the Taraba Savings and Loans Limited will manage the market effectively to justify the purpose for which it was built.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the tour of the market complex by the acting governor and top government officials and the flag-off of the allocation of stores to traders.

  • Death toll in Taraba crisis rises to 40

    The death toll in the renewed ethnic and religious crisis in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State has risen to 40.

    It was gathered yesterday that tension is also mounting in Wukari and other neighbouring towns.

    The crisis is r between Jukun/Tiv Christians and Hausa-Fulani Muslims.

    It was learnt that the crisis is being fueled by heavily-armed hired mercenaries.

    Trouble started when a Christian farmer and his son were allegedly attacked by insurgents suspected to be Muslims at the bank of River Benue.

    The attacked persons, though seriously wounded, were able to swim to safety. The news of the attack led to bloodletting.

    Taraba Police Command’s Spokesman, Joseph Kwaji, said police recovered 14 bodies, including two dead soldiers, when the violence died down.

    But a resident told The Nation they recovered 28 corpses.

    Eye-witnesses said over 40 persons might have been feared killed, adding that some of the bodies were yet to be recovered.

    “Some residents are still missing as I talk to you. Some died in the hospitals, some were killed and their bodies thrown into the bush or river after a string of reprisal attack,” he said.

    Sources revealed that soldiers, who arrived at the scene left almost immediately when two of their men were killed in cross-fires by the rioters.

    More residents fled the troubled town yesterday after over 20 houses were confirmed torched.

    But Kwaji said normalcy was beginning to return to the area.

    The southern Taraba district, particularly Ibi and Wukari local councils, had been the news since the beginning of the year.

    In June, over 100 persons were killed in a resurgence of violence in Ibi that spilled to Wukari.

    No fewer than 500 persons were injured and many homes destroyed.

    Senator representing Taraba south, Emmanuel Bwacha asked President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency to protect lives and property.

  • Taraba boosts agric with farm inputs

    Taraba boosts agric with farm inputs

    The acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar has distributed farm inputs to farmers in the state to enable them to enhance food production during this year’s farming season.

    The farm inputs distributed were maize and rice seeds, herbicides, 12 rice-milling machines/housing and installation, 600 irrigation water pumps and two hilux pick-up vans to enhance logistics.

    The distribution took place at the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

    The farm inputs were in addition to 30 new tractors, ploughs and harrows which Umar had provided for the farmers at subsidised rate.

    Umar said the distribution of the MDG inputs aimed at increased agricultural productivity.

    “This is part of our well considered responses to the desire of our farmers to maintain the leading position of Taraba State in agricultural products in the country,” he said.

    The acting governor noted that based on past experience that failed to yield the desired result, the state government would not go into direct production, saying the state would continue to provide the enabling environment for all productive activities to thrive.

    “We will also continue to support farmers’ efforts by assisting them when necessary. The procurement of these farming inputs for onward sale and distribution to our farmers at subsidised rate is part of the strategies to achieve this goal,” he said.

    Umar urged farmers to take advantage of the “favourable factors” provided by nature and the government to step up agricultural production this year.

    Umar directed that the distribution be decentralised so that the inputs would get to every local farmer wherever he lives.

    “The mechanism for the distribution has been done in such a way that we can easily track and detect cases of diversion or illegality in the exercise,” he said.

    Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Isa Musa, said the farm inputs distributed would ensure food security in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Musa added that the state government was making another arrangement to procure fertilisers and more tractors and other implements for distribution to farmers in all the wards and units of the local government areas of the state.

  • ‘Taraba govt insensitive to citizens’ plight’

    The Christian community in Taraba State has accused  the  government of being “insensitive” to the plight of the citizens.

    It accused the Garba Umar administration of breaching the constitutional provision, which guarantees protection of life and property.

    This was contained in a communique at the end of 108 CRCN General Church Council (GCC) in Takum, Taraba State.

    The communique was signed by the CRCN President, Rev. Osheka Caleb Ahima and Vice President Rev. Isaiah Jirapye Magaji.

    The General Church Council  is the highest decision and policy making body of the Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria.

    It said the continuous attacks on Christians, in the southern and central districts of Taraba have led to the death of hundreds of people and destruction of property.

    It said the sustained silence by the government on the killings of Christians, particularly the Tiv, and their forceful relocation to Benue State is “not only politically motivated but a calculated and coordinated plot to exterminate Christians in Taraba.”

    It urged the Federal Government to compel security agencies to operate within the  law, instead of promoting sectional interest, which often made some people sacred cows and others scapegoats.

    It said: “The free movement of people claimed to be Fulani herdsmen with sophisticated weapons terrorising innocent villagers in southern and central Taraba under the nose of security operatives be halted immediately in the interest of peace and development.

    “The federal and state government should bring back and compensate the Tiv  who were forced out of their dwelling places.

    “The mass exodus of Tiv people from Taraba state, if not addressed, will lead to famine in the state; government’s quest for food security and export of agricultural products to raise foreign exchange earnings for the state and country would be a mirage.

    “We view the expulsion of Tiv people from Taraba State as a scheme to undo the Christian community because of their numerical strength.”

  • Agony of displaced Taraba Tiv farmers

    Agony of displaced Taraba Tiv farmers

    Hundreds of Tiv farmers in Taraba State have been killed and thousands severely injured in clashes with Fulani herdsmen. Survivors relived their physical and emotional torment, when Senior Correspondent FANEN IHYONGO visited their camps

    They looked hungry, weak and ill. Some looked terrified and emotionally drained. Many were unable to speak. They sleep on the floor in stuffy relief camp rooms. Mosquitoes bite them every night. Tiv farmers of Taraba State who survived the Fulani attacks are having the worst of times in their camps.

    They used to till the land, using the proceeds to look after their families.  They supplied the markets with yams, maize, soya beans, guinea corn, rice and cassava, among others.

    Farming was their life. Now, their means of livelihood is cut off and they have become destitute, terrorised in the central district of the state which they call home.  Today, their Fulani neighbours who once made jokes and merriment with them, have become their assailants and killers.

    “I don’t know the meaning of existence anymore,” one of the victims told this reporter.

    They have become endangered species in their own state. Some of them wonder if they are seen as aliens.

    Since the beginning of this year, Fulani insurgents, sometimes perceived to be largely mercenaries, reportedly numbering over 6,000 besieged the southern and central districts of the state. Tiv villagers became their prey. The insurgents, sometimes clad in military camouflage, attacked anytime of the day or night. They have killed thousands of Tiv farmers, wounded many more and forced the rest from their homes. Not a few Tiv women and girls have been raped and degraded by the herdsmen.

    Even in the relief camps the victims are afraid of discussing what has befallen them for fear of divulging information to perceived spies from the enemy camp.

    Little children who found something to eat were seen playing; some were crying but many generally looked pale and ill.

    Two children and a woman were said to have died, added to the 14 who passed on earlier. They reportedly died of hunger and disease. Their bodies were seen being evacuated, but no one could say exactly where they would be buried.

    An 82-year old man was said to have lost his mind in the camp after reportedly losing his wife and four children to Fulani attacks. Their assailants allegedly burnt them alive in a house where they were hiding.

    Members of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and SEMA, the state arm of the organisation, brought relief materials but they could not serve even a quarter of the camp population in the five locations. Concerned officials from the local government council also prepared food for weak children  but the Fulani militia broke into the camp demanding to be served first. The invaders took the food away with a promise to attack the people in the evening if they remained in the camp. This reporter saw the camp officials pleading with the marauders to have mercy on the children. They did not. The camp’s location near a police station did not deter them.

    Bem Iorleva, 36, has been sleeping in the bush. He furtively goes to the camp only at noon hours to see his people. But these days he could not go as the militants reportedly began to trail him. He is said to be among six on hit list of Fulani herdsmen. The six were reckoned to have incurred the wrath of invaders when they reportedly condemned and resisted their attack.

    “They want to turn us from defencelessness to a worse state. Those of us who are of the active age, enlightened and have some sources of wealth are the major target; they want our heads by all means,” Iorleva said.

    Iorleva who has a wife and three children, has been lucky to have escaped the slaughter, but his sources of livelihood have been wiped out.

    “There is no safety even in the camps. The authorities have told us in clear terms they cannot protect us. You could be fetched and killed right there any time and nothing would be done,” he said.

    He added that some of the culprits who were arrested by security agents have been released.

    “We see them (their attackers) walking freely. They attack us in the villages, and yet they come here to torment us…Look at some of them (pointing to a group of four Fulani youngsters wearing black vests on one motorcycle).

    Iorleva, a principal at Rock Foundation Primary and Secondary School, had also been operating a bookshop and a barbing shop to augment his income. One day, the bookshop and saloon were attacked and vandalised by Fulani assailants. His home in Mai-Haula and the 17-year-old school where he taught were reduced to rubble. His proprietor, Peter Terna Ukpo is also taking refuge in the bush.

    Iorleva said: “Ukpo’s case is worse. They said they will butcher him if they see him.”

    Popularly known as Orlando, Ukpo is the president of Tiv youths in Bali. He is said to have lost “everything” to Fulani fighters.

    “Some of us would have been killed since, but for God. I had to run as I never did since I was born in order to escape death. They came with heavy weapons, some wielding guns, some long cutlasses and axes. They began to shoot and kill any Tiv person they sighted, without provocation.”

    As the Tiv residents ran for their dear life, the attackers looted and set their homes ablaze.

    Now, with the hellish life in the camps, the displaced want to leave for Benue where the bulk of their folks are, but transport fare is ptohibitive, even as some of them do not know where they are really going. The fare, per individual, from the camp St. Paul Catholic Church, Bali, to Zaki-Biam is N2000. From the camp to Gboko is N2,500 and N3,000 getting to Makurdi, the Benue State capital. Cargoes like a nine-inch mattress or a goat are charged N2000. So, one is left with the option of abandoning one’s bags of rice, groundnuts, corn, livestock and household appliances behind if one must survive.

    Meanwhile, their attackers have continued to either take over their properties or destroy them. Even on the road, the Tiv are often attacked  by herdsmen mounting roadblocks.

    Some help has come for them, though. Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Dickson Ishaku, has donated relief materials and cash to the displaced persons.

    Darius, an architect, is from Takum Local Government Area of southern Taraba.

    His representative, Stephen Ibrahim Agya said the donation, included wrappers, foodstuff and cash.

    The traditional ruler of the Tiv in Bali, HRM David Gbaa, received the items on behalf of the displaced. Gbaa who praised the minister for the gesture said he would share the materials fairly among the five camps in Bali where the displaced are taking refuge.

    Agya added that the minister is making an arrangement to also assist displaced persons from Gassol and Ibi local government areas.

    Agya said he stumbled on the victims fleeing their homes so he informed the minister who quickly disbursed funds and materials to alleviate their deplorable condition.

    “I wept when I saw the Tiv victims in the camps. The old, women and kids; they looked stranded and emotionally wrecked. I saw their homes destroyed. It was pathetic.

    So, when I phoned the minister (Darius) he was saddened over the development. He promptly empowered and directed me to provide relief to the victims,” Agya said, adding that Darius has condemned the attacks and killings.

    In Bali where the minister donated relief materials, over 80 Tiv residents were gunned down and a Catholic catechist axed to death. Police said they recovered 46 bodies and that 6,086 houses were torched when they combed the area in search of the attackers.

    “Many of our people are still missing,” said Torver, one of the 148,036 displaced persons taking refuge in Kungwana area of Bali.

  • ‘I have united Taraba Assembly members’

    ‘I have united Taraba Assembly members’

    Josiah Sabo Kente is the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly. He took over the leadership of the legislature at the time the state slipped into crisis over who should take charge of the machinery of government  between recuperating Governor Danbaba Suntai and his deputy, Garba Umar. In this exclusive interview with Senior Correspondent, Fanen Ihyongo, the Speaker said he has been able to re-unite the once rancorous lawmakers who now work in harmony in the interest of the state. Excerpts

    Is it true you are not interested in the clamour that power should rotate to your zone; that you are supporting the Acting Governor Garba Umar for 2015 because he has offered you the position of deputy?

    If somebody could sit somewhere and say I am not in support of power shift to Southern Taraba, that person is not being fair to me. I say so because, some people are saying “that thing that I am doing,” now, what is that thing that I am doing, or what is that thing I have done that to them they think I am sabotaging the agitation for the shift of power to southern zone? I have faith in God and I strongly believe that it is God that gives power. And God gives power to whoever he wants without consulting anybody. I always tell people, who care to listen, that if it is God’s desire or plan that power should shift to the south, it will definitely happen. But I must confess here that if we should go by that zoning arrangement, which the PDP as a party used to observe, and the fact that we have not had a share of the governorship, but the north and central have had for 18 years, then the next zone that is supposed to produce the next governor is southern zone. So, if it is God’s wish that power should shift to the south, who am I to say no? So, I challenge those accusing me that I am not supporting power shift to come up with any evidence to show that I am kicking against power shift.

    Maybe you are not being public about power shift, probably because you do not want to offend the acting governor?

    I don’t think so. And I want to say it is even too early for one to start talking of power shift here and there now.

    That you have jettisoned your initial intention of running for the Federal  House of Representatives because you have accepted to be Umar’s deputy against the wish of your zone?

    It is not true. It is completely false. Let me tell you, I have maintained a stand that I am not in any confrontation with Alh. Garba Umar. What is before us (Umar and I) now is to work together for the unity and peaceful co-existence of our people. So, what is paramount before me now is to ensure that permanent peace returns to Taraba, particularly to my zone. We want to ensure that the people who fled their areas because of the crisis return to their homes to continue with their legitimate activities that they are known for. Honestly speaking, I don’t want to talk about the politics in Taraba now, because whatever thing you say, some people will look at it from a different perspective. But one thing I always want to maintain is that; let us play the game according to the rules. Let everybody try to respect the views of each and everyone. If we do so, there would be peace; the tension wouldn’t be too high. Honestly, that is my position.

    Does Taraba practice rotational politics?

    Yes we do because that was what happened in 2007. When former Governor Jolly Nyame completed his tenure, Mr. Danladi Baido won the PDP primaries but was not given the party’s flag and one of the reasons we were told was that (I say so because that was not the only reason) the president then, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, felt power should shift from the northern zone to the central zone. But even if you say so, looking at the case of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan, Yar’Adua had not finished his tenure when he died. Jonathan completed his tenure and won a fresh election. So, the constitution does not recognise the issue of power shift, but by mutual understanding, people can decide to say yes, for fairness and equity, let there be rotational representation in the act of governance.

    Is there any grudge between you and your elder brother, Mr. David Sabo Kente (DSK), who is also contesting the governorship election?

    For whatever reason, whoever thinks that my brother DSK and I are at loggerheads is a joker. I have never ever had the cause of having any misunderstanding with my elder brother. He has been supporting me; he has always wished me well and prayed for me to succeed in this task –because he knows it is not easy; he knows the circumstance in which I came on board as Speaker of the House. So, honestly, I still respect DSK as my elder brother, I listen to him; he still advises me on how I will go about my political activities. To doubting Thomases –those who think they can use politics to separate us, they are joking. I don’t have any rift with my brother and I don’t envisage any problem coming between us.

    Are you saying you are not against his ambition of running for the governorship election, as being alleged?

    I am not and I will never be against his ambition. He is a citizen of Taraba State, he is a Nigerian, and by the constitution of this country, he is qualified to vie for any position in this country.

    You met a rancorous and divided House, how have you been coping?

    Truly, I inherited a divided House. But I want to say wholeheartedly that today I go to bed a happy man. This is because God has helped me to bring the two factions together and we now work in harmony in the common interest of Taraba State. Just come to the House these days and see how we discuss, not only in the lobby, but in the chambers. Before, if there was any communication from the office of the acting governor, some members would protest and would not sit. Motions that were supposed to be moved were not properly moved sometimes. But I assure you, today, we have put behind all these problems. We are re-united more than we were before and we are ready to work for the people and progress of Taraba State.

    Recall that the crisis that divided the House had to do with Governor Danbaba Suntai’s return, in which some members were of the opinion that Suntai should take charge –having returned and written the Assembly while others insisted he was not yet fit –his deputy Garba Umar should continue to act.  Are you saying the impasse has been resolved?

    I don’t know the way you are looking at it. But as far as I am concerned, it was not a crisis. It was the normal politics of the House –you can either support a decision or you decline (object). So, it was just a matter of decision, and whatever position one took that time was a matter of interest, not that the problem has been resolved. I personally don’t want to talk on that because the matter is before a law court and if I say anything on that, it would amount to contempt and I don’t want to commit contempt procedure; I believe the Nigerian judiciary is competent and capable of resolving this problem.

    Will you contest the House of Representatives seat in 2015 or be a running mate to Umar?

    It is too early for me to make such a comment. I don’t believe in making statements like this because I am still praying to God to tell me what to do. Once God reveals what I should do next, I will make it public.

    Is it right for the acting governor to be campaigning when ban on politics is not yet lifted –his posters are everywhere?

    I don’t work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) so I don’t know when they would lift the ban. I don’t know what the INEC guideline provides for, as regards the issue of mounting bill boards and posters for political campaigns. What I know is that this issue is not peculiar to Taraba State. It is all over the country. Each state you go to now, you will find people pasting posters to indicate their interest of contesting particular offices. So, I don’t think there is anything wrong in doing that –it is everywhere. In fact, ours is even a smaller case, compared to other states. If you go to Benue State, for instance, there are over 30 aspirants contending for governorship. In Nasarawa, there are posters everywhere. Even in Abuja FCT, you will see posters of President Goodluck Jonathan –posters are everywhere, so what are we saying?

    Is it true that Taraba State is now broke?

    I am not the Accountant-General of the state; neither am I the Commissioner of Finance.  So, I am not competent to comment on that. All that I know is that government activities have been going on smoothly as and when due. We are up to date in terms of salaries. There are some neigbouring states that have not paid ordinary salary for up to two or three months. But here, salaries are being paid as and when due. The government machinery is in place, working perfectly as it is supposed to be. So, whoever that is saying the state is broke or the state’s treasury is in red should provide evidence as regarding the indebtedness of the state. What are the indices that make them believe that the state’s treasury is in red?

    We learnt Taraba borrows to pay salaries?

    It is not true. How can you say Taraba State is borrowing to pay salaries? How much is our salary bill? How much do we get from the Federation Account? I don’t want to go into details of some of these things even though I know them. For those criticising the government of the day, assuming the state is borrowing, is this the first time the state would borrow? Let us assume that the state government borrows money from the bank today, would it be the first time? We have instances when the state was borrowing heavily. So, as I said, I don’t want to go into details of these things. So, if the state is borrowing, it is not the first time, although I am not aware whether the state is borrowing.

    Is it true Umar is carrying on with all his principal’s projects?

    Yes. All the Danbaba Suntai projects initiated from the onset are ongoing. The Bali-Serti-Sardauna Road is ongoing. The PW is still doing the road projects in the state, and so other projects initiated by Suntai are ongoing. The 4 kilometre roads in all the local government headquarters are ongoing. In some of the local headquarters the roads are not yet completed but work on them is ongoing. Whoever says Umar is not doing well, by virtue of these projects, should prove with evidence by showing us that these are the projects that were started by Suntai or were in the budget and have been stopped. And again, government is a continuum.

    What has been your biggest challenge since becoming Speaker?

    My biggest challenge would have been the division of the House of Assembly members. It would have been my headache if the lawmakers were still in dispute. But as I speak to you today, we have put behind us whatever

    differences we had in the past and we are re- united, working together harmoniously day and night. So, the biggest challenge I inherited as I said, was the division in the House but we have cemented our relationship. Therefore, maybe my biggest challenge now is the issue of security. But even the insecurity challenge is being addressed and the security situation is improving on daily basis and that has gladdened my heart. I am feeling relatively more comfortable because we now don’t have attacks here and there.