Taraba crisis: Internally Displaced Persons appeal to NEDC, Taraba Govt for relief materials
By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo.
Following the recent crisis that erupted between the Gomu tribe and the Fulanis in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba state that displaced over 6, 000 persons from their communities, some displaced persons currently taking refuge in different camps in the local government area on Tuesday appealed to the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Taraba state government to as a matter of urgency come to their aide with relief materials.
Some of the IDPs who spoke with journalists via telephone interview lamented that they are currently going through difficulties.
One of the IDPs, Mr Bala Dangumo while narrating his experience, expressed sadness that they are worried over their current situation.
“We are concern that we can’t afford to feed our families as it is now, our children can’t go back to school, they have burnt down our houses and we are left with nothing now.
Also, one disturbing issue before us now is the living conditions of our women, many of them are nursing mothers and their situation is really sympathetic” he lamented.
A pastoralist, Ahmedi Ardo who lost over 120 cows to the crisis said his life and that of his brothers whose caws were killed have gone back to zero.
“We have lost all our cows to this crisis, a fulani man value his cows and therefore whatever affects our cow affects his life” he noted.
Gov Kefas
He called on the Taraba state government and spirited individuals to come to their aid to enable them start up a new life.
On his part, the Chairman of Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of the state, Hon Bitrus Danjos while speaking to journalists said that the crisis is getting calm, admitting that though there is fear of escalating situation.
He informed that many who have ran out of their homes are presently leaving in different camps in Karim-Lamido, the headquarter of the local government, some in Bamburka and some in Mararaba respectively.
“Although, the governor delegated has a peace Committee headed by the deputy governor of the state, Alh Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, which summoned all the wearing factions with security chiefs and discussed on the possible ways to ensure that peace is restored.
“I have equally made an appeal to the state government through the Deputy Governor to provide relief materials to cushion the hardship faced by the IDPS” he added.
Blueprint recall that two Fulani herders attacked and killed the district head of Gomu few days ago while working on his farm and in return, the Gomu youths went on reprisal attacks and killed two Fulani herders and over six hundred cows.
