Just In: Many feared killed in fresh Tiv and Jukun crisis

On Saturday, a fresh crisis broke out between the Jukun and Tiv tribes in Wukari, South of Taraba State, with many feared dead.

Fleeing residents from the affected communities said many houses have been burnt down and several people injured.

Bako Benjamin, a Jukun community leader said despite the peace accord reached last week between the two warring communities, “Tiv ethnic militias have continued to launch pockets of attacks on our communities.”

“Just this morning in the wee hours, they struck at Chonku firing sporadically and razed down houses. They attacked four of our communities in the last three days and as I am talking to you, corpses of 15 people killed by Tiv militias have been deposited in Wukari and we have compiled their names.”

However, the Tiv spokesman, Orbee Uchiv denying it said

“Our people are being attacked by Jukun ethnic militias in recent times. A peace meeting at Jootar, a border town between Benue and Taraba States convened by one Rev Father Dankaro and other priests to sue for peace was truncated.

‘’Thursday morning, Vaase, a border town was attacked by Jukuns. More than 12 people were killed. Probably on reprisal this morning, Chonku, a border Jukun settlement, was attacked.

“As I am talking to you now, looting, arson and killing within and around villages of Tiv people is going on and hundreds of Tivs have fled to Benue state,’’

According to report from various sources, the misunderstanding was due to a long standing dispute between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups.

Daniel Adi, the Chairman of the Wukari Local Government Area confirmed the crisis and said many houses have been burnt down with many feared dead.

“I have since reached out to the Chairman of Ukum local government in neighbouring Benue and the Security Adviser to the Benue Governor and we are making efforts to stop the escalation of the crisis,” he said.

Meanwhile, David Misal the Taraba State Public Relations officer said security operatives “were on the top of the situation”.

“Security operatives have been deployed in the affected areas, though I am yet to confirm casualty figures in the latest attacks,”