Royal Father Seeks Peace, Forgiveness Among Warring Parties In Taraba
BY AMEH IDUJAGI, JALINGO – A royal father, the Emir of Muri, Alhaji Abbas Tafida, has appealed for peace, mutual understanding and forgiveness among all the warring parties in Taraba state.
The Emir said only love and peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic groups and people of Taraba can bring about the much-desired growth and development in the State
Addressing journalists in his palace in Jalingo on Thursday, Alhaji Tafida said his plea was based on reports that parties in the recent tribal conflicts have resolved and agreed to embrace peace in the overall interest of the North East State.
He noted with regrets that it has been over two years since the tribal conflict among Nyanda, Mummuye, Kunini and Fulani started and also about seven months following the eruption of deadly clashes between Jukun-Kona and Hausa-Fulani,
According to him, the good news however is the fact that all warring sides in the conflicts are now regretting their actions and have decided to embrace peace going forward.
“I have received pleasing reports of new thinking and regrets from all the parties in the conflicts and they are willing to discuss and reach understanding with each other”, the royal father said.
He said recent reports from the affected tribes were positive and further confirmation that all parties in the conflicts that took place in Lau, Ardo-kola and Jalingo Local Government Areas of the state have so far realized the clashes were huge disasters that nobody gained from.
The Emir further said the current moves and re-thinking by all tribes in the affected areas present an opportunity to push for a change of attitude from the mentality of violence to the culture of respect for law and order.
Alhaji Tafida further said; “Now that you have seen the cost of violence is higher than what ever you thought, you should now earnestly forgive each other and each party should commit itself never to start violence again.”
While advising those that fled their ancestral homes to return and restart their lives and lawful activities, Emir Tafida also urged security agents to provide adequate security for all those returning to their towns and villages.
He however appealed to Taraba state and Federal governments to assist the victims in fixing their homes that were brought to ruins during the conflicts.
