Threats On Sarkin Hausawa Takum: Group Calls For Arrest Of Culprit
By Our Correspondent
The Takum Samba Socio- Cultural Development Association in Taraba State has reacted to a recent live video broadcast by one Japhet Kwabche who was alleged to have threatened the life of the Sarkin Hausawa of Takum, Alhaji Hudu Ismail Madugu.
Addressing a group of selected journalists at the NUJ Press Centre in Jalingo, the Chairman of the Association, Comrade Victor Dan Usman, said the Association views the outbursts of Japhet Kwabche as a threat not only to the life of the Sarkin Hausawa but also the prevailing peace and progress of Takum.
The Chairman outlined about ten statements allegedly made by Japhet Kwabche in the live video aired on Tuesday 8th April 2025 on his “True Comrade TV”, an online platform, which the Association viewed as threats to the life of the Sarkin Hausawa and the entire community.
Some of the comments perceived as threats against the Sarkin Hausawa and credited to Japhet Kwabche include, “whether he likes it or not, he must leave the leadership of Angwan Hausawa”, “So he should have it at the back of his mind and his family that his business and his family, has come to an end”, “Sarkin Hausawa will run and vacate Takum town without footwears”, “you can’t come to our town, insult us and betray us”, “you came and demolished our Mosque”.
According to Comrade Usman, Takum has survived series of communal crisis, as such threats to life and property should not and cannot be viewed as freedom of speech or a right to freedom of expression.
He stressed that the prevailing peaceful coexistence that has attracted so many life changing projects to the ancient town is paramount in their hearts as stakeholders, saying outright show of might and threat should not be condoned in a civilized society like ours.
“We view Mr Kwabche’s declarations with so much exception. Declarations that carry weight like these are no longer taken as mere statements or expressions.
“This is because apart from being unfriendly and confrontational, they carry with them, the expectation of a serious action that must have been planned.
“Therefore, it may not be out of place to to regard such outburst as a threat to life and property of the Sarkin Hausawa, his family and by extension the whole town and its inhabitants.
“The whole of Takum will not be insulated if the action to destroy, as given by the wordings of Kwabche’s declarations, is allowed to be executed. It is a sort of declaration of war”.
According to him, the Association has observed that Mr Japhet Kwabche usually speaks with authority and air of total control, which implies that Mr Kwabche and his syndicate have the capacity to execute all his threats and have equally taken responsibility of whatever befall Alhaji Hudu Ismail Madugu and members of his family.
“This is a dangerous trend if allowed to prevail, given the background that the Hausa community of Takum was once subjected to killings, maiming and destruction of property by the co-travellers of Comrade TV and the whole town suffered grief losses”.
The group wondered what interest Mr Kwabche, an indigene of Ussa LGA and a non Muslim, has against the Sarkin Hausawa of Takum whose Rogo ward is mostly made up of Muslims.
The group expressed concern that the resurgence of criminal activities within Takum and the southern part of Taraba State, blaming it on what it described as a secret coalition, which claims to be for political purposes.
“Mr Kwabche’s True Comrade TV has been one of the most dangerous social media platforms for inciting and grooming one group against another or against individuals, ostensibly out of greed or bigotry”.
Comrade Victor Dan Usman therefore appealed to the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas and security agencies to arrest and prosecute Mr Japhet Kwabche for his statements and declarations, saying they are laden with criminal pronouncements.
While calling on the Nigeria Police Force, to take immediate measures to protect the Sarkin Hausawa of Takum Alhaji Hudu Ismail Madugu and members of his family and the entire residents of the area, the group pledged their continued support to the Governor Kefas led administration in Taraba State.
