Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has condemned recent violent attacks in several communities in Taraba State which have reportedly led to the death of over 100 people and destruction of property worth millions.
A statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, on Thursday said Osinbajo “outrightly condemns the acts of violence, adding that perpetrators of the attack would be brought to book.”
The Fulani communities in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State had alleged that a local militia in the area killed Fulanis and destroyed their property on the orders of the chairman of the local government, John Yep.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by four of their elders, the Fulani communities said trouble began for them when the militia started protesting the arrest of one Umaru CID, a ring leader of the group in Nguroje town by security operatives.
They said the arrest was because of ongoing litigation over a land dispute.
While commiserating with the people of the affected communities, the entire government and people of Taraba State, the Acting President also summoned and held an emergency meeting with top security officials of the Federal Government and Governor Darius Ishaku.
“Acting President Osinbajo has therefore ordered the deployment of an extra military battalion, police reinforcements and also a deployment of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to the areas affected.
“Equally the Acting President has ordered the provision of relief materials to be delivered to the affected communities in Toffi, Mayo Daga, Mayo Sina, Tamiya, Kwara-Kwara, Tungan Lugere, Timjire, Nguroje and other villages in the hinterlands of Mambilla Plateau.
“The Federal Government has also put in motion long time solutions including mediation between opposing groups in the communal conflict,” the statement added.
