By Martins Abochol, Jalingo
The Ayatutu Cultural and Social Development Initiative (AYACASODI) Worldwide has accused the Taraba State Government and the Takum Local Government Chairman-elect, Hon. Bako Benjamin of sponsoring genocidal attacks on Tiv people in the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National President, Chief Timothy Baaki, the group condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing genocidal attacks and ethnic cleansing targeted at the Tiv people of Taraba State, particularly in Takum Local Government Area.
Baaki expressed concern over the current wave of attack where armed Fulani herdsmen and Jukun militia elements continue to massacre innocent Tiv men, women, and children.
“AYACASODI Worldwide holds the Taraba State Government and Hon. Bako Benjamin, the newly declared Chairman of Takum LGA under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), responsible for these atrocities.
“Hon. Bako is known for his open hatred, inflammatory remarks, and consistent false accusations against the Tiv ethnic group, statements that have directly fueled hate, division, and coordinated attacks against Tiv people.
” His emergence as council chairman has emboldened the perpetrators, turning Takum into a killing field on the Tiv people.
“Similarly, AYACASODI Worldwide also accuses the Chairman of Wukari Local Government Area, the Governor’s hometown, of complicity in the mass displacement of Tiv people from their ancestral lands.
“Over 90% of the Tiv population in Wukari have been forcefully displaced, their homes and farmlands destroyed, and their communities reduced to ruins.
“Reliable reports suggest that vast portions of land belonging to Tiv families are being illegally shared among sponsors and collaborators of these heinous acts, a clear indication of ethnic cleansing disguised as political and communal conflict.
“We categorically state that what is happening in Taraba State meets the clear definition of genocide as provided in Article II of the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
” These killings are systematic, politically motivated, and aimed at displacing Tiv communities to disenfranchise them ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially now that the INEC Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is ongoing.
“Despite the presence of a Nigerian Army Barracks in Takum (Amadu area), a zone largely inhabited by Tiv people, there has been no protection for Tiv citizens. Instead, they are being killed like ants under the silent watch of the military.
“AYACASODI Worldwide therefore rejects the proposed establishment of another Army Barracks at Ikyaior, describing it as a disguised attempt to militarise, suppress, and occupy Tiv lands under the pretence of security.
“Previous petitions and reports by AYACASODI (2018), the Benue–Taraba Peace Commission (2020), and Amnesty International (2021) have all documented these atrocities, confirming a consistent pattern of targeted displacement and land seizure against the Tiv population in Southern Taraba.
“AYACASODI Worldwide extends its deepest condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones in these horrific attacks. We mourn with every Tiv household torn apart by violence and stand in solidarity with the displaced, the wounded, and the bereaved. May the souls of the victims rest in peace, and may justice find those responsible for their deaths.
” We therefore, demand an independent investigation into the killings, displacements, and military involvement.
” We also call on the Federal Government, United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene urgently and bring perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice.
” We equally urge INEC and human rights bodies to ensure Tiv citizens are not disenfranchised in the ongoing voter registration and the 2027 elections,” it stated.
When contacted through a telephone conversation, Hon. Benjamin Bako denied the allegation, describing it as baseless.
