End Taraba killings now, Catholic General Assembly tells FG

The Catholic General Assembly of Jalingo Diocese has urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency end incessant killings going on in Taraba state.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the 17th General Assembly of the Diocese and signed by the Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, the Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa, which ended today (Sunday) in Jalingo.

The church commended the federal government for the efforts to curb insurgency in some parts of the country, but want a special attention given to the continuous killings  going on in Taraba state.

“There is no doubt that government efforts at ending insurgency are yielding fruits, but the absence of Federal interventions in Taraba is limiting progress. Attacks are recorded daily, people are being killed and communities destroyed.

“Attempts by the displaced people to return home have been frustrated and made impossible as they are attacked and killed each time they try it. Their houses and farmlands are currently being occupied by armed Fulani men who are not ready to leave.

“While we commend the efforts of the state government for ordering for the return of the IDPs to their ancestral homes and villages, it is sad to note that the ugly trend of unlawful seizure, selling and occupying of farm lands and homes belonging to the IDPs have become a lucrative business for some local Chiefs and traditional rulers,” part of the communique read.

The church noted that the situation where the IDPs will miss another farming season would be disastrous to the economy of Taraba and Nigeria and called on the Federal government to pay attention to Taraba State and help the State government in her efforts to ensure security of lives and property.

“As a Church we are determined to stretch our hands of fellowship to all leaders regardless of their political affiliations and creeds to heal divisions and promote peaceful coexistence and social justice.”

On the state of the economy, the church decried the suffering being faced by Nigerians and called on the federal government to take serious steps at making living conditions easier for the common man.

The church reiterated her call for government at all levels to create jobs, inculcate discipline, and provide infrastructure. These the church said would curb the many problems that come with growth in population and globalisation.