Victims of Wukari crisis want to return home

More than 30,000 people affected by 2014 and 2015 ethnic-religious crisis in Wukari, Taraba state, have called on federal and Taraba governments to work out modalities for their safe return to their homes.

The spokesperson of the victims, Alhaji Musa Hamisu, told North East Trust in an interview that more than 30,000 people, mostly Hausa and Fulani, were forced out of Wukari during the crisis and their houses burnt down completely.

He said the victims were part of Wukari community for hundreds of years as their forefathers were born and lived in the area.

Alhaji Musa Hamisu explained that killings and destruction forced them to flee and are now taking refuge in Jalingo, Yola, Gombe, Abuja, Lafiya among other places.

He said the affected people have made several attempts to rebuild their houses and return to Wukari but were prevented by Jukun youths who were backed by their elders.

He expressed dismay over failure by both Taraba and Federal government to support the community’s attempt to return to their homes.

The spokesperson called on federal government to set up a committee to visit the areas in Wukari, which were destroyed during 2014 and 2015 to enable it assess the level of destruction.

He also called on federal government to direct security agencies to provide security to the affected persons who want rebuild their houses and settle down.

He wondered why the current reconciliation effort to settle the dispute between the Tiv and Jukun by the federal and Taraba state governments is not involving them.