The President-General of the association, Chief James Baka, held a news conference in Jalingo on Monday where he appealed for assistance.
He called on security agencies to ensure the safety of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) being resettled in Wukari Local Government Area (LGA).
Baka urged both the State and Federal Governments to intensify efforts in resettling IDPs facing hardships in refugee camps.
He specifically called upon the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and Taraba State Emergency Management Agency to urgently step in and provide support to IDPs who have been enduring difficult conditions for the past four years.
Baka emphasized the need for immediate action, especially in terms of security for the returning IDPs in Wukari and other LGAs in Southern Taraba.
He urged the Taraba Government, led by Dr Agbu Kefas, to personally visit the returning IDPs to instill a sense of belonging and restore confidence in the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis.
The President-General appealed to private individuals, corporations, and compassionate individuals to contribute relief materials and prayers to help the affected people overcome their precarious situation.
Baka also highlighted a recent incident where security personnel allegedly chased away returning Tiv IDPs from resettling in their homes after the prolonged Tiv-Jukun crisis since April 1, 2019.
He strongly condemned the Taraba State Government’s failure to find a lasting solution to the recurring crisis and called on both State and Federal Governments to end the conflict promptly, providing security for displaced persons to enjoy their civic rights.
Drawing attention to a concerning situation, Baka mentioned that the Nigerian Army had taken over some deserted homes in Wukari for over four years, causing resistance when attempts were made to return.
He urged the Chief of Army Staff to establish the validity of this claim through a panel of enquiry and take appropriate action.
It’s worth recalling that thousands of people have been displaced due to the prolonged Tiv-Jukun communal crisis, with many living in camps for the last four years
