Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, yesterday urged the Taraba Government to find lasting solution to the recurring farmers/herdsmen clashes in Wukari Local Government Area of the state.
Bwacha (PDP Taraba Central), made the call when members of the Abuja chapter of Ugondo Mdema Development Association, visited him in his house in Abuja to mark the Easter festival.
The senator also urged the state and Federal Government to provide adequate security to cover all parts of the area to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Bwacha appealed to the victims to pray for an end to the crisis rather than resorting to retaliation.
He said they should use the Easter period to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ, who is the symbol of peace.
“My appeal to my people is for them to take their complaints to God especially at this time of Easter.
“I also appeal to them to forgive one another and continue to reflect on the death of Jesus Christ who is the symbol of peace, and God will fight the battle for them.
“I urge the state government to be proactive on security measure and to spread the security network to prevent an escalation of the crisis,’’ he said.
On the request for electiricity to Tor-Damisa community in Donga Local Government, the Senator pledged to include the area in the 2015 MDGs budget.
He said the visit of the group would strengthen existing relationship, and urged them to continue to propagate the message of peace among the people.
Earlier, the President of the group, Dr Simon Abochol commended Bwacha for carrying his constituents along in his legislative business.
“The purpose of this visit is to identify with you as our brother during this time of Easter celebration and to demonstrate our support to your political aspirations.
“We also wish to appeal to you to assist us in reinstating our 24 polling units which were reduced to three.
“This will enable us to cast our votes with much enthusiasm, with the believe that our candidates will come up tops.
“We thank his Excellency, the acting governor of Taraba state, for his quick intervention in the Fulani herdsmen and Tiv crisis in Donga Local government area of the state.
“We also thank the governor for the relief materials he has disbursed to the victims of the crisis.
“And we wish to remind him that the gesture has demonstrated his dynamics in maintaining peace and a show of concern to his people.’’
It can be recalled that crisis broke out in Wukari town on Tuesday night following protests by youths in the area over alleged killings of villagers by herdsmen.
The Nigeria Police in Taraba put the death toll at 24.
The state’s Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar had imposed a 24-hour curfew on Wukari immediately after the clash. (NAN)
