A coalition of Tiv Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Taraba State has accused the state government of discriminatory policies and alleged attempts to dispossess them of their ancestral lands, calling on Governor Agbu Kefas to guarantee equal protection for all residents as provided by the constitution.
The allegations were contained in a statement released on Monday by the leader of the Tiv IDP community, Peter Achibo, who faulted what he described as a “sustained pattern of exclusion and displacement” affecting Tiv returnees, especially in Wukari Local Government Area.
Achibo condemned the state’s move to acquire more than 150 hectares of land each from Ikyaior and Jandekyula communities for the establishment of a Military Forward Operating Base (FOB).
He argued that while strengthening security is important, the acquisition disproportionately affects Tiv communities already battling prolonged displacement.
According to him, Tiv people who fled during the April 1, 2019 Jukun–Tiv crisis have been unable to return to hundreds of deserted settlements, unlike their Jukun counterparts who he said have since received state-backed support to resettle safely.
He noted that 283 Tiv settlements in Wukari, 69 in Donga, 37 in Ibi, and several more in Takum remain deserted, leaving more than 300,000 Tiv people displaced for over five years.
Despite repeated pleas, he said, the government has not provided sufficient security assurances to enable their peaceful return.
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“The actions and inactions of the authorities raise serious questions of fairness and equity,” Achibo said.
He further claimed that plans to take over more than 400 hectares of land for new security installations are seen by Tiv communities as an extension of marginalization, affecting some of the few villages that have managed to return and settle without conflict.
Achibo listed a range of alleged injustices faced by Tiv people in Taraba, including political exclusion, lack of representation in traditional councils, denial of certificates of origin, restricted access to government employment, renaming of Tiv villages, and the imposition of external traditional rulers.
Describing the situation as “unconstitutional and sentimental,” Achibo urged Governor Kefas to intervene decisively by ensuring equal protection under the law and guaranteeing the secure resettlement of all displaced Tiv persons.