Tensions Rise in Taraba State as Tiv Communities Allege Attacks and Forced Displacement for Government Project

Fresh concerns are mounting in Taraba State following serious allegations from Tiv communities regarding persistent attacks on their farmlands and homes, coupled with claims of planned displacement to make way for a government-backed infrastructure initiative.

The controversy centers on the proposed establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Ikyaior community of Wukari Local Government Area. According to Engr. Tsekaa Friday Shuur, an engineer and vocal community advocate, Tiv indigenes have been flooding Governor Agbu Kefas with calls and messages, desperately seeking protection from what they describe as suspected Fulani and Jukun militias operating in their areas.

Shuur has publicly questioned the state government’s approach, highlighting what he sees as a contradiction: how can authorities pledge to safeguard the Tiv people while simultaneously pressing them to relinquish ancestral lands for public projects? He emphasized that government infrastructure developments should serve and benefit citizens, rather than result in the dispossession of their heritage and livelihoods.

The activist pointed out that Governor Kefas has reportedly made clear his commitment to seeing the FOB project through, stating publicly that the decision is irreversible. Shuur described this position as deeply troubling, warning that any attempt at forced displacement risks inflaming existing ethnic tensions and undermining the fragile peace in the state.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Shuur highlighted what he called the “disturbing silence” from Tiv elites amid ongoing challenges. He alleged that Tiv farmers continue to face attacks on their farmlands—sometimes on an almost monthly basis—while the state government’s lack of vocal response amounts to tacit support for the perpetrators. Should affected communities feel compelled to take matters into their own hands for self-defense, Shuur cautioned, they could quickly be labeled as criminals by the authorities.

The broader context includes long-standing communal conflicts in southern Taraba, where thousands of Tiv people have reportedly been displaced over recent years, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Benue State. Previous reports have documented significant loss of life and abandonment of hundreds of villages in areas including Wukari, Donga, and Takum.

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Taraba State Government at the time of this report’s initial circulation proved unsuccessful. The allegations come at a sensitive time when calls for inclusive dialogue, transparent consultation with affected communities, and urgent security interventions have been growing louder from various Tiv groups and stakeholders.

As the situation develops, many observers are watching closely to see whether dialogue and reconciliation efforts can prevail over escalating grievances, or if the combination of security concerns and land disputes will further strain inter-ethnic relations in the state. The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether these tensions can be addressed constructively before they spiral into wider instability.