CRC-N President, Rev Ahima to Gov. Ishaku: Stop Playing Lip Service to Tiv/Jukun Crisis

11 Killed, Houses Razed  in Bali as Crisis Escalate

 

The President of Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria CRC-N, Rev. Dr Caleb Ahima has condemned the killing of Rev. Emmanuel Saba of the CRC-N Mararraba in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State by unknown men, urging Taraba State Governor Dairus Ishaku to tackle the Tiv/Jukun crisis headlong. 

 

This is coming following the killing of pastor Emmanuel Bileya and his wife Juliana in Donga Local Government Area of the state by gunmen.

 

Pastor Emmanuel Bileya, a pastor with the CRC-N Church, Mararaba, in Donga Local Government Area was reportedly killed with his wife, Juliana by  Tiv  militia while working on their farm in Mararaba on Monday.

The spokesperson of the Taraba state police command, ASP David Misal, who confirmed this, said the pastor and his wife were on their farm when the gunmen stormed the place and opened fire on them, killing them instantly.

Rev. Caleb Ahima who is the National Vice President of Christian Association of Nigeria CAN urged governments, at all levels to stop paying lip service to resolving the Tiv-Jukun crisis but come up with workable measures.

 

He lamented that the crisis has claimed several lives and properties and urged the people to put on attitude of forgiveness to let peace reign.

 

According to him, this is a season of farming and people are supposed to be in their farms and not hunting for one another with weapons.

 

Rev. Dr Caleb Ahima challenged political leaders to accord priority to the peace of their people and do all things possible within their capabilities to promote peaceful cohabitation among the electorates.

He added that, no leader in everywhere derive pleasure in suffering of people.

 

The Church President appealed to the stakeholders of the two warring factions to immediately call their youths to order and stop all forms of hostilities for the good of all.

 

He disclosed that CAN was not happy with the renew hostilities in the Southern part of Taraba State and initiated  measures to broker peace until the outbreak of CONVID-19 Pandemic which makes it difficult to go out.

 

Ahima called on the government  to deploy more security operatives to the flash points  to give people confidence.

Meanwhile not less than  eleven people were reportedly killed and scores injured following renewed attacks on Tungwa and Utsua-Daa communities in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

A resident of Bagoni near Tungwa, Alh. Sale Umar told our correspondent that gunmen invaded Tungwa on Thursday and Utsua-Daa on Friday killing 11 people.

Umar said several houses in the two communities located along Bali-Marararba Road were also burnt in the attacks.

"We saw 11 dead bodies after the attacks. Many house have been burnt and people have deserted the communities.

"Many people especially Tiv farmers are fleeing the communities on foot to Bali for safety," he said.

Caretaker Chairman of Bali Local Government Council, Hon. Musa Mahmud confirmed the attacks but said five people were killed.

 

Mahmud who said he was on the ground at the scene of the attacks also said several houses were burnt.

"Five people have been killed and several houses burnt, but the situation is under control now.

"I am at the scene of the attack as we speak. For the past two hours I have been here and I can confirm to you that burning and killings have stopped for now.

"I want to call on the people to eschew violence and embrace peace," he said.

This attack is coming barely few hours after the Taraba joint peace committee submitted an updated report on the crisis to the Deputy Governor, Engr. Haruna Manu in Jalingo.