Hundreds of displaced Tiv Christians from Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State staged a peaceful protest on Thursday, demanding justice, government intervention, and a clear path to return to their ancestral homes after seven years in displacement.
The demonstrators, many of whom are subsistence farmers now living in internally displaced persons camps, expressed frustration over prolonged neglect, deepening poverty, and the loss of livelihoods since their displacement in 2019.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters called on the Federal Government and the international community to urgently facilitate their safe return, noting that life in displacement has eroded their dignity and economic independence.
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Speaking to journalists, the group’s leader, Terhile Ahur, accused the Taraba State Government, Wukari Local Government authorities, and the Wukari Traditional Council of failing to support their reintegration.
Ahur claimed that more than 150,000 Tiv people have been displaced from Wukari, with many seeking refuge in neighbouring Benue State. He alleged that the crisis has led to the destruction of over 300 churches, 70 schools, and 30 primary healthcare centres.
He traced the crisis to 2019 clashes between Jukun and Tiv communities in Kente village, which he said escalated into sustained violence affecting Tiv Christian populations.
According to him, the situation has been worsened by what he described as the reclassification of Tiv residents as settlers in Wukari, despite their longstanding ties to the area. He added that many displaced families have returned to find their ancestral lands occupied or reassigned.
The protesters also raised concerns over the role of security forces, alleging that some personnel of the Nigerian Army have hindered their return rather than facilitated it. They called on the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the allegations.
In a direct appeal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the group urged immediate intervention, including the deployment of neutral security personnel, humanitarian assistance, and guarantees for safe resettlement.
They further called on the international community to take note of their situation, warning of serious violations of fundamental human rights and urging action in line with global conventions on the protection of displaced persons.
The protest highlights the ongoing humanitarian and security challenges in parts of Taraba State, with displaced communities continuing to seek justice and a return to normal life.
