By Stephen Osu
Jalingo
The festering sectarian crisis in Taraba state worsened at the weekend with 35 people killed in Bali local government area.
The latest violence came a week after the signing of a government-encouraged peace agreement between community, religious and traditional institutions at the palace of the chairman of the state Council of Chiefs, the Aku Uka.
The traditional ruler of the Tiv people in Bali, Chief David Gbaa, who is also the Ter Bali, confirmed the killings to Blueprint in his palace in Bali town, adding that 18 Tiv communities were sacked by the attackers and thousands of people are displaced.
The monarch explained further that he has a record of his subjects that were killed, one of whom was a member of his traditional council, Chief Peter Unongu from Alakpa community.
Stressing a point, Chief Gbaa said it was after the visit of the government’s peace committee, which gave confidence to the natives to start returning to their destroyed homes, that some of them, including his council member, met their death.
A clergyman, Rev. Fr. Roland Ukeng, told Blueprint that the parish headquarters is housing 6,800 displaced people, including women and children.
He also said much more than that number was displaced.
The Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Rt Rev. Dr. Charles Mike Hammawa, directed all the churches in his diocese to make a special collection in yesterday’s Sunday mass celebrations to assist the parish in Jatau for the upkeep of the displaced people housed by the parish priest.
The police, however, denied knowledge of any crisis in the area but confirmed the existence of a huge refugee camp in Jatau.
The chairman of Tiv Culture and Social Association, Taraba state branch, Mr. James Nungwa, told our correspondent that he was aware of the tragedy that befell his people in Bali but said the association was working with the state government to ensure a lasting solution.
For the past two months there has not been peace in most parts of Taraba state and the death toll has continued to increase by the day, just as more and more people are rendered homeless.