By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku has responded to the press conference by the National Catholic Diocesan Priest Association, Jalingo Diocesan Chapter.
He told the delegation of eight Tiv leaders who visited him in the State House, Jalingo led by Commissioner for Social Development, Bridget Twar, that it is not possible to continue to fight wars forever without having time to settle the differences before they get aggravated
The National Catholic Diocesan Priest Association, Jalingo Diocesan Chapter were in the state house ti commend the Governor for rescuing over 900 Tiv indigenes trapped in Kurmi local government area of the State.
The Governor said when he heard of the security threats against the displaced Tivs camped in Baissa that morning, he deployed security to the place two hours after he received the information.
“I must achieve peace; God has never disappointed me. But peace is desired, it’s not achieved by taking tea. We must desire to have peace. We must desire that the peace should be long lasting.
“Let us realise that peace is what we must be looking for. Peace must be underlined in capital letters, knowing that there is a time to be born, time to live (transition) and time to die (bus stop),” the Governor said.
“In Taraba, being a multiethnic State, the people must accommodate one another.”
The Governor asked the Catholic Community in Taraba State to desist from ‘inciting people against his government’.
He said a Catholic community under the aegis of National Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, Jalingo Diocesan chapter is criticizing the Taraba State government for not doing much to nip in the bud the crises between the Tivs and Jukuns in the state.
He warned the Catholic Church to desist from inciting residents of the state against his government.
According to him, he has together with his Benue state counterpart, Samuel Otom, exploring necessary avenues to broker peace between the two warring tribes, but all could not avail, yet he is not relenting in his efforts towards ensuring peace in the state.
“I am willing to challenge anyone who is trying to make worse what my administration is making to get peace”
“If the Catholic Church has nothing to offer or say, let them shurt up and seat down, for I am more than ready to get back peace to Taraba state for the growth of the state economy ”
Iur correspomdent rroorts that the Catholic Community had held a press briefing in Jalingo, where it alleged that armed banditry, rape, unwary destruction of lives, and property, has become the new norms for the people of Taraba.
The Catholic church stressed that human lives have become so cheap that it takes no second thought to be wasted, just as they call for a more consolidated approach by the state government in ending the feud.
They also sort to know rhetorically if the state government is comfortable with the incessant and continuous crisis in the state.
The Association blame Governor Darius Ishaku led administration for the escalation of killings in the State.
It also accused the state government of complacency in ending the crisis and addressing the plights of the people affected.
The Chairman of the forum, Rev Fr. Ephraim Sani, said the priests were saddened by the continued crisis in the state that has caused the death of many including a priest and the wanton destruction of property.
“It is unfortunate that even the rules of engagement in wars are no longer observed. Consequently, innocent children and defenceless women are today targets of murderous acts.“
The Taraba State government under Darius Ishaku, with the support of the Federal Government should invest more time and resources in the security of the State.
“As the chief security officer of the state, we appeal to his good conscience and his paternal responsibility to constantly visit and ensure that adequate security personnel is deployed in the affected areas.“
In truth, we believe that not much has been done and there is a feeling of abandonment of the common people by the government. “We must ask ourselves very pertinent questions. Is Taraba State government comfortable with the incessant and continuous crises in the State?
We are comfortable with the image of IDPs moving or running helter-skelter within the State during these clashes.
“Does it not disturb us that human lives are destroyed and trampled upon?” the Church queried.
The church called on the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN in the state to play an active role in uniting the people.
According to them, CAN must not be seen to be active only during elections, noting that people were yearning to hear from CAN leadership in the state over the senseless killings.
While reiterating their commitment to pray for the security of the State and the country, the Church called on the warring factions to sheath their swords and respect the sanctity of human life. When contacted, Special Adviser to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala Dan-Abu, said the government has noted the appeal of the Catholic Church.
“The appeal is for all those concerned to look into the crisis and the general security of the state and I want to call on stakeholders concerned to heed to the appeal,” He said.
Nasarawa Reporters 