The indigenes of the Kuteb in Takum Local Government Council of Taraba State have appealed to the state governor, Dr Agbu Kafes, to prioritize the return of displaced members of the community to their lands currently occupied by bandits.
Speaking under the umbrella of Kuteb Peace Movement, KPM, the group in a press statement released on Sunday and made available to journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, highlighted several areas alleged to have been overtaken by bandits, including Fawen, Bassang, Kpashi, Muji 1 and 2, Tati, Kpashimbe, Gamgum, among others.
The group, whom DAILY POST noticed were responding to ongoing tensions over the Ukwe Takum stool, emphasized the need for the government’s renewed commitment to installing a First Class traditional ruler for Takum.
They expressed concerns over the proposed rotation of the stool among different ethnic groups and the renaming of the position from “Ukwe Takum” to “Chief of Takum”.
A statement signed by gbe Coordinator, Musa Danladi Rimande, underscored the potential threats to peaceful co-existence posed by recent statements and actions.
It called for a focus on facilitating the return of Kuteb people to their ancestral lands, urging dialogue over conflict resolution rather than resorting to violence.
The group who said they are not ready for another war, called for peaceful negotiations among the various ethnic groups jostling for the vacant traditional stool in the council.
They called for the preservation of Kuteb cultural heritage, the recognition of Kuteb festivals and rituals within legal boundaries, and the fair inclusion of Kuteb people in political and public offices without intimidation or victimization.
They also echoed the need for collaborative efforts to resolve longstanding tensions and ensure the welfare of all inhabitants in Takum Council and the state at large.
Taraba: Kuteb indigenes seek return of kinsmen displaced by bandits