Arewa Leaders Condemn Herdsmen Attack On Taraba Communities
THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday asked the Federal Government to immediately find a lasting solution to sectarian crisis in the country, which is capable of scaring away foreign investors and further depressing the nation’s economy.
This followed the bloody attacks by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on some communities in Taraba State. The group decried the spate of attacks and violence in some parts of the country, saying that Northern leaders were saddened at the news of alleged attacks by unknown gunmen on some communities in the Mambilla Plateau in Sardauna council area of Taraba State. “The spate of killings and destruction of property in the area as reported in the media within the last four days is worrisome and requires urgent action to stop it,” the ACF said. Its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu said in a statement that: “It is noteworthy that the Mambilla Plateau is one of the best tourist resorts with good serene environment and climate. “The area produces substantial livestock for the entire country, but is now being destroyed through unnecessary clashes.” Biu noted that the Federal Government's effort to construct the Mambilla Hydropower Plant that would generate over 3000 MW of electricity would be affected if crisis of this nature continues.
He added that the ACF believes that the insecurity posed by ethnic conflict was capable of scaring away investments and depriving the people employment, economic and social enhancement and other benefits.
“ACF, therefore, calls on the security agencies to enforce the curfew imposed on the area to stop further destruction of lives and property. The Federal Government should also deploy the military to compliment the effort of the police to restore peace and harmony,” the statement added. Biu said the ACF also appeals to the Taraba State Government to immediately provide the necessary medical facilities and other mitigation measures to the injured persons and the bereaved families.
He called for a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the crisis with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice, insisting that the state government should engage the leaders of the affected communities in a peace building process that would restore peace in the affected areas.