Fresh security threats have emerged in Southern Taraba, prompting leaders of the Tiv Cultural and Social Association to sound the alarm. The President General of the TCSA, James Chihi Bakah, and the Forum of Tiv Political Appointees have expressed concern over the potential targeting of communities such as Ananum, Tor-Damisa, Peva, and Kofai Amadu in Donga and Takum local government areas of Taraba state.
Bakah and his team have commended recent security deployments to Tiv communities in Southern Taraba, which they say have begun to restore calm in previously volatile areas. These deployments, led by the Taraba state government under Governor Agbu Kefas, have reportedly stopped further attacks and renewed confidence among residents who had lived in fear for months.
The Tiv leaders have also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the armed forces for their swift response to reported threats in Tiv communities. They noted that the intervention helped prevent a wider crisis, and warned that without timely action from the state government and security agencies, the situation could have escalated into violence similar to past incidents in parts of Benue State and Kwara State.
The group has called for sustained and possibly increased security presence in affected communities to prevent a relapse into violence. They have also expressed gratitude to Governor Kefas for distributing relief materials to displaced persons in Donga, Abako, and Chanchanji, describing the gesture as a demonstration of responsive leadership.
The Tiv leaders have urged authorities to maintain security operations to prevent further attacks, especially as the farming season approaches. They emphasized the importance of cooperation between residents and security agencies, urging locals to provide timely intelligence to help sustain peace.
The recent security threats in Southern Taraba are a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for peace and stability in the region. The Tiv leaders' call for sustained security presence in affected communities is a testament to their commitment to peace and development. However, the fact that Governor Agbu Kefas' administration has only recently begun to deploy security personnel to the area raises questions about the effectiveness of the state government's response to emerging threats. The distribution of relief materials to displaced persons is a welcome gesture, but it is only a temporary solution to the long-term issue of insecurity in the region. As the farming season approaches, it is crucial that the state government and security agencies take concrete steps to prevent further attacks and ensure lasting stability in the area.
