By Danzumi Ishaku
Residents of Taraba state says they can now breath a sigh of relief following the reopening of roads linking Takum to Wukari, Takum to Katsina-ala among others. following months of failed seizure of hostilities between the Tivs and Jukuns.
This disclosure was made as the Army commences Exercise Ayem Akpatuma II in the state to flush out and nip in the bud kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, ethno-religious, communal clashes among other heinous crimes in the state.
Residents noted that there was light at the end of the tunnel as peace is gradually returning to affected communities.
Since April 2019, the Tiv and Jukun Crisis has been in the news for one attack or the other with southern Taraba been in the eye of the storm. One of the major hiccups was the Takum – Wukari, Takum – Katsina-ala and Donga – Wukari roads which has hitherto been practically impassable.
At some points the miscreants kidnap, burn down houses, steal at gun point and kill, with the case of the slain Catholic priest David Tanko as one of the peculiar ones.
According to some motorists and residents of southern Taraba said, ”Since the advent of the Army to this area, we can now pass through this road peacefully, unlike before that we had to go to Garba-chede, take Mutum-biyu route before getting to wukari.
If we must go through this road then we have to employ the services of security agencies to guide us all through.
Sometimes, they kidnap our passengers too”
At this event to launch operation Ayem Akpatuma II Kufai Ahmadu, Takum local government area of Taraba state, the chief of Army staff, Lieutenant Colonel Tukur Buratai says the Army in conjunction with other sister agencies will continue to live up to its expectations, as it promises to defeat all forms of security challenges.
Represented by the General Officer commanding three division, Jos, Major General Nuhu Angbazo insists that the aim of the exercise is to build the capacity of its personnel to practically tackle internal security threats such as kidnappings, cattle rustling, banditry, communal clashes and restore peace to affected communities.
He says the exercise is also aimed at improving civil military relationship.
For the Taraba state government, while urging the security agencies to conduct joint trainings to promote inter -agency cooperation, insists that the current security challenges in the state are dynamic in nature, yet expresses optimism that peace and tranquility will surely return to the warring communities in Taraba.
Taraba state Governor represented by his deputy Haruna Manu, stresses that more needs to be done to effectively tackle the prevailing security threats bedeviling the state.
Shortly after the inauguration, they embarked on a medical outreach to tackle some common ailments faced by the locals of Kufai Ahmadu.
Residents of Taraba state are hoping that as the exercise Ayem Akpatuma continues it will provide a platform to meet the yearnings of the state for peace to reign supreme.
