Farmers/Herders clash led to over 15,000 IDPs in Taraba – CAN

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter has said that the recent clashes between Farmers and Fulani Herdsmen in some parts of the State has resulted to over 15,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), Camps found at different locations in State.

The Acting Chairman, CAN in the State, SP. Apostle John Aina stated this during a Press Conference held Tuesday at the Association’s Secretariat, Jalingo.

The Clergy said, the clashes resulted to killing of Christian farmers by herders, pointing out that worthy of mention was the Federal Government’s continued silence over the issue.

“Gentlemen of the Press, we the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State Chapter and the entire body of Christ in the State are worried over the renewed killings of innocent peasant Christian farmers in the State without provocation and the conspiracy of silence by the Federal Government”, he said.

The Acting Chairman added that recently, 67 people were killed across 49 towns and villages of Lau Local Government Area.

He further recalled that in one of their previous releases last year, June when communal clash broke out in the Mambilla Plateau, Mambilla became a pilgrim site for prominent Nigerians and top Federal Government officials.

CAN, who frowned at such attitude, drew the attention of the Federal Government saying the same treatment should be given to other victims in their various local governments.

Reacting to CAN’s Press Conference, the Taraba State Police Command advised that CAN as a religious body should always cross check their facts and information before going to the Press.

The Commissioner of Police, CP, David Akinremi who stated this at the Command Headquarters, Jalingo revealed that during the Lau crisis between Farmers and Herdsmen, the Command deployed Officers from Jalingo to Lau that brought the crisis under control and permanent restoration of peace to the area.