Uhuru Samuel Adaji Jalingo
The Jibu Chiefdom in Bali local government area of Taraba State on Tuesday relocated the Tiv community of Dugwer to another part of the chiefdom to end age long land dispute.
Alhaji Abubakar Mahmoud, Traditional Ruler of Jibu (Kur Jibu) during the handing over of the new land in Utsuwa-Daar area of Bali said that the development was to settle an aged long land tussle between the Tiv and Hausa communities resident in the area.
Mahmoud expressed satisfaction that the Tiv, who were predominantly farmers would henceforth be able to go ahead with their normal farming activities on the new land without hindrance.
He recalled that the dispute had been taken to court and withdrawn for an out of court settlement, adding that the provision of the new percel of land was a fulfilment of one of the conditions earlier reached in the resolution of the dispute.
He said that the chiefdom had to wade into the fracas with a view to settling the dispute amicably for peace to reign in the area.
The traditional ruler advised the Tiv community to ignore some of the people who were bent on causing crisis between them and other tribes inorder to satisfy their selfish interests.
Alhaji Mahmoud also called on the Tiv leaders at the state level to checkmate their local leadership to ensure they live in peace with their neighbours.
He commended Gov Agbu Kefas of Taraba for giving him the opportunity to resolve the conflict in an area that was within his domain.
The paramount ruler also commended the governor for providing the palace with a new vehicle, which he said, had enhanced mobility in his office.
While on the site, Mr Aper Agera, Village Head of Dugwer, a Tiv settlement within Bali town accepted the offer from the traditional ruler onbehalf of his people.
Agera however, complained that the land offered was marginally smaller and that it would not accommodate his community, alleging that the land taken away from the Tiv community was 600 square kilometers while the new land allocated to them was barely 200 square kilometers.
National Trail recalls that Arc. Darius Ishaku, former governor of Taraba State bought the land in contention.
The original residents of the land protested against the sell of their land by the Traditional Ruler of Jibu.
They sought legal action up to the court of appeal.
Gov. Ishaku then advised them to settle the matter out of court.
One of the agreements was for the traditional ruler to provide an alternative land for the Tiv community.
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