Taraba: Jukun Opposes Inclusion of Tiv in Wukari Traditional Council 

BY AMEH IDUJAGI, JALINGO – The Wukari Traditional Council in Taraba State has opposed the inclusion of the Tiv ethnic group in the composition of Wukari Traditional council.

The Secretary of the council Mr. Bala Huseni, who testified on behalf of council at the Judicial Commission of inquiry into the Tiv/Jukun crisis in Jalingo, said that the Tiv and Jukun have nothing in common and therefore cannot be part of the council In the words of Huseni; “The Tiv ethnic group cannot be part of Wukari Traditional Council because the culture and tradition of the two tribes are not same”.

Husseni stressed that any attempt to include the Tiv ethnic group in the Wukari Traditional council as demanded by the Tiv ethnic group would be unacceptable and be vehemently rejected.

The Wukari traditional Council identified the lack of proper demarcation of the boundary between Benue and Taraba States as one of the major causes of the perennial crisis between the Tiv and Jukun in the area.

It noted that a situation where the Tiv from Benue encroached into Taraba to claim land is the major cause of crisis between the two tribes living at the border between Benue and Taraba States.

The Secretary to the Wukari Traditional Council, urged the commission of inquiry to make appropriate recommendations for a proper and clear boundary demarcation between Taraba and Benue states.

Huseni lamented that since 1975, there has not been boundary demarcation between Taraba and Benue States which according to him has generated to series of crisis between Tiv in Benue and their Jukun counterparts in Taraba.

The Wukari Traditional Council therefore urged the commission to at the end of their assignment come out with fruitful recommendations that will bring a permanent solution to the crisis between the Tiv and their neighbours in Taraba state.

The team from the Wukari Traditional Council was led to the Commission of Inquiry by the Aku-Uka, Dr. Shekarau Angyu, who is also the Chairman of the Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The Tiv ethnic group withdrew from the proceedings of the commission saying that it does not believe it would be given fair hearing.