Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Tiv extraction in Wukari Local Government Council of Taraba State, currently taking refuge in Benue State, have appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas to grant them an audience for direct engagement on their plight.
The leader of the displaced group, Peter Achibo, made the appeal during a phone interview with journalists on Thursday.
He emphasized the need for Governor Kefas to spare a few minutes of his time to interact with the IDPs and understand the hardships they continue to face in the camps.
According to Achibo, the prolonged stay in displacement, without access to basic social services such as education and healthcare, is worsening the psychological state of the people, especially children who are growing up with a skewed perception of society due to their isolation.
“Crisis has come and gone; what we need now is reconciliation to pave the way for lasting peace. We want the governor to understand why it is important for us to return to our ancestral homes in Wukari and live normal lives again. We are his people, displaced by conflict, now living like wild animals in camps,” Achibo said.
He warned that continued displacement without social integration could foster ethnic resentment and undermine future efforts at peaceful coexistence.
Achibo stressed that the IDPs are ready to embrace dialogue and reconciliation for lasting peace and development in Wukari.
“We know that violence benefits no one, and there’s no better time than now to make amends. We are ready for a peaceful dialogue that will lead to our safe return and attract development to our community,” he added.
The IDPs also urged the Taraba government to prioritize their reintegration and support reconciliation efforts that would ensure durable peace in the region.
