Some Tiv people in America have appealed to the Federal Government to lead efforts in resolving the persistent Tiv-Jukun crisis in Taraba State.

The group under the aegis of the Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA), is also asking the government to resolve the issue of displaced Tiv people in Taraba and ensure that the threat to their citizenship rights is eliminated.

MUTA made the call in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Joseph T. Zume and Engr. Simon Kusugh on behalf of the group.

The group also demanded that the changes to the names of Tiv towns and villages in Taraba be reverted to what it was originally.

The statement reads “Over the years, Taraba State has grown increasingly hostile to its Tiv population. Back in 2001, the Tiv diaspora community had cause to write to President Olusegun Obasanjo, expressing concerns about the massive killing of Tiv people in Taraba State by Jukun militias. A swift government intervention then brought succour, albeit temporarily.

“Eighteen years later, a more vicious pogrom has been visited on the Tiv people of Taraba by the Jukun. In 2019, the violence killed scores of Tiv people and caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands from their communities.

MUTA alleged that the Taraba State government has refused to provide make-shift camps for Tiv people displaced in the town.

“In the meantime, the Taraba State Government even denies the Tiv IDPs the courtesy of make-shift camps for temporarily accommodating displaced peoples.

“MUTA calls on the Federal government to lead efforts, not only to resolve the displacement of Tiv people in Taraba but also to ensure that the threat to their citizenship rights is eliminated.”

DailyPost