The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, Nigeria (WANEP-Nigeria) has raised alarm over the recurrent inter-ethnic violence between Tiv and Jukun communities in Wukari, Takum, Donga Local Government Areas (LGA’s) of Taraba state and Ukum in Benue state.
Its National Coordinator, Bridget Osakwe in a statement made available in Abuja said reports on the statistics of fatalities arising from the ethnic violence reveal a death toll of over 600 people with several others injured between April 2 to August 31, 2019 in the both states.
The statement added that a total of 41 people died from September 1-18,2019 in Takum and Wukari LGAs of Taraba State.
According to the statement, the continued series of attacks and its accompanied reprisals have contributed in compounding the climate of insecurity prevailing in both States.
“This have resulted in the displacement of thousands of people with houses, farmlands, schools, places of worship and health facilities burnt down and/or vandalized.
“This tension between the ethnic groups further manifests in hatred, mistrust and violence, which continues to have adverse effect on public safety, food security and social cohesion in the affected States,” the stayement said.
“Beyond the spill-over effect of violence on neighbouring communities of Benue State, inter-communal trading activities, household food consumption and income have also been affected by the escalation of violence.
“Equally alarming is the impact of the conflict on agriculture and livestock activities, which happen to be the mainstay of the local economies of the conflicting LGAs. This threatens food security, as local farmers and herders fear reprisal attacks in their farming locations in Taraba and Benue States,” it added.
The statement warned that if the violence continues in communities, it will eighten the risk of sexual and gender-based violence especially rape against women and children trapped in the armed conflict situations.
It urged government at all levels to increase support for the presence of security agencies in the affected communities to improve peace and security.
“The State Governments should strengthen partnership with civil society organisations including WANEP, Health Ministry, State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) and humanitarian agencies to provide support for the displaced persons, victims of violent attacks in order to ensure adequate access to psychosocial, health and livelihood assistance to victims,” the statement said.
