Efforts to restore lasting peace in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State received a major boost over the weekend as the Commissioner of Police, Moorkwap Sebastian Dongshal, convened with security stakeholders, community leaders, and government officials to address the recurring communal violence that has continued to disrupt social and economic activities in the area.
Key Highlights:
The meeting, held at the Karim-Lamido Local Government Council Secretariat, focused on practical strategies for ending cycles of violence, strengthening security collaboration, and fostering peaceful coexistence among communities.
Addressing participants, Dongshal called on police personnel across the state to remain vigilant in combating crime while maintaining cordial relationships with members of the public. He stressed that effective policing must be built on professionalism, accountability, integrity, and respect for human rights.
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According to the police commissioner, security agencies alone cannot successfully tackle the challenges facing communities without the support and cooperation of residents.
He urged community leaders and citizens to provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing criminal activities and responding swiftly to emerging threats.
Dongshal also reaffirmed the commitment of the Taraba State Police Command to protecting lives and property in Karim-Lamido and other parts of the state, assuring residents that the command would continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen peace and security.
The security concerns in Karim-Lamido have in recent years been linked to recurring communal clashes that have claimed lives, displaced residents, and affected farming and commercial activities, thereby raising concerns among local authorities and traditional institutions.
Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Chairperson of Karim-Lamido Local Government Council, Virginia Bambur, expressed concern over the continued violence and its impact on communities.
She noted that the local government could no longer afford the devastating consequences of recurring conflicts and called for a united approach to resolving longstanding grievances.
“Karim-Lamido has suffered enough from cycles of violence. Our farms, markets, and families deserve peace.
We are working with the Police, the 6 Brigade, our legislators, and our royal fathers to address the root causes of these clashes. I am calling on all communities in Karim-Lamido to give peace a chance and resolve grievances through dialogue, not weapons,” Bambur stated.
Her remarks underscored the growing consensus among stakeholders that sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue, reconciliation, and collective responsibility.
At the conclusion of the meeting, stakeholders unanimously adopted a series of resolutions aimed at restoring stability and preventing future outbreaks of violence.
Among the key decisions reached were the intensification of joint security patrols in identified flashpoints, the implementation of confidence-building measures among affected communities, and the establishment of a Karim-Lamido Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
The proposed committee is expected to engage community leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and other stakeholders in addressing the underlying issues fueling the communal crisis while promoting dialogue and understanding among affected groups.
Observers view the resolutions as a significant step toward rebuilding trust and creating a framework for sustainable peace in the area.
For many residents, the success of these initiatives will depend on continued collaboration between security agencies, government authorities, traditional institutions, and community members.
As stakeholders renew their commitment to peace, residents of Karim-Lamido hope that the latest intervention will mark a turning point in efforts to end years of communal tensions and pave the way for security, development, and prosperity across the local government area.
The Taraba State Police Command has pledged to sustain its partnership with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that peace achieved in Karim-Lamido is not only restored but maintained for future generations.
