Tiv, Jukun of Taraba/Benue broker peace, move against militia groups

Benue and Taraba State Governments have resolved to identify and apprehend militia groups suspected to be residing in the two states and hand them over to security agencies for necessary action.

This position was arrived at in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, on Tuesday, when representatives of the two States met to broker peace over the recurrent clashes that has claimed a lot of lives over the past 40 years.

In a communiqué issued at the end of their joint peace meeting which was at the instance of their host, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, the two States resolved that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Taraba will be allowed to return to their ancestral homes without any form of intimidation.

They also agreed that there should be cessation of hostilities from all parties to pave way for return of displaced persons and that the governors of the two states should meet with traditional rulers in the front line communities and sensitize them on the need to live in peace.

“The sensitization should include effective communication by use of mass media and ensure the return of the displaced people to their various homes.

“The two governors are encouraged to meet as a matter of urgency within one month and this arrangement should be facilitated by the Governor of Nassarawa State,” the communique stated.

The meeting deliberated on wide range of issues, especially, the persistent attacks at the border communities and condemned in strong terms the wanton destruction of lives and property.

The communique also noted that the two state governments should ensure massive deployment of security forces for intensive patrol and surveillance of the affected communities to checkmate the excesses of criminals and enforce law and order to allow the displaced persons to return.

The meeting further resolved that the federal government should ensure the demarcation of the boundary of the two states and facilitate the implementation of all the resolutions jointly arrived at by the two state governments to permanently resolve the crisis.