Militiamen have taken over Jukun villages –Taraba group

A socio-political organisation under the aegis of Jukun Development Association of Nigeria on Monday raised the alarm over the menace of militia groups that have taken over the roads and farms in Southern Taraba.

Consequently, the entire population who are subsistence farmers were said to have been unable to access their farmlands or sleep peacefully due to the activities of militia groups.

The President of JDAN, Chief Bako Benjamin, who spoke in Abuja, also condemned the shooting of two farmers, Danasabe Firiji and Inusa Audu, both of the Donga Local Government Area in the early hours of Saturday while on their way to the farm.

He said, “The roads and farms in Southern Taraba, particularly in the Donga LGA, have been taken over by militiamen with guns who are now moving in hundreds freely on motorbikes. We call on the Federal Government to quickly intervene and save us from this unprovoked invasion.

“Our demand for the intervention of the Federal Government has become necessary because the Jukun people may have no choice but get their people together to form groups to defend their homeland.

“We condemn the attack on two farmers, Danasabe Firiji and Inusa Audu, both of the Donga LGA of Taraba State in the early hours of Saturday while on their way to the farm.”

Benjamin said the Taraba State government had completely failed to provide security for the people of Southern Taraba.

He said no single day passed without Jukun people being shot and killed in their farms or on the highway.

He said it was not possible for any peace meeting to achieve success because the state government preferred to handpick and choose politicians to attend the meetings instead of focusing on the main gladiators in the various villages to address the matter.

Southern Taraba had been plunged into inter ethnic crisis between Tivs and Jukuns, leading to the killing of hundreds of people.