By: Uhuru Samuel Adaji
Following the signing of a peace treaty between the indigent Kutebs and Fulani herders in Ussa, Bali and Gassol Local Government Areas of Taraba State, uneasy calm seems to have returned to the communities.
Our correspondent in Taraba reports that leaders of the Kutebs and the Fulani recently signed a peace accord as a result of which hostilities have ceased, even as the Fulanis are yet to vacate the occupied Kuteb communities.
Since signing the accord, the killings on farms have ceased and the rustling of Fulani cattle have also been on hold, but the continued presence of Fulanis in communities sacked and occupied by them have continued to send signals that it may as well be peace of the graveyard.
Member representing Ussa State Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Honorable Timothy Habila told National TRAIL that there is relative peace and the Fulanis are getting set to vacate the communities they seized, but there are still fears of a possible future hostilities unless the underlying issues are addressed.
While praising the leaders of the warring ethnic groups for embracing peace, the lawmaker laments the loss of a whole farming season to the crisis.
He expressed concerns over the damaged farmlands and the welfare of those displaced, stressing that even if the Fulanis vacate their communities, rehabilitating those who may wish to return could pose further challenges to the government and the people.
Honorable Timothy thanked those who facilitated the peace accord, and urged those who are occupying the homesteads of others to hasten their departure, so that permanent peace can return to his area.
National TRAIL had reported of the possible escalation of the crisis between the indigent Kutebs and the Fulanis in Taraba State, following which over 300 lives have been list since March this year.
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