The people of Gwomu community in Karim-Lamido LGA of Taraba State have called on the state government to investigate recent accusations made by the leadership of Fulbe Development and Cultural Organisation, FUDECO.
In a press statement released in Jalingo, the state capital on Sunday, the community posed several questions to FUDECO, asking for evidence to support claims that the Gwomu people are operating an armed militia.
FUDECO had recently filed a petition over the series of killings and attacks in the LGA, accusing Gwomu community of being responsible for the incidents.
Piqued by the indictment, the community who came under the umbrella of Gwomu Development Association, GDA, urged the government to address the community’s concerns and ensure the safety of its residents.
The statement signed by the Chairman of GDA, Elder Mamuda Yakson, commended the state governor Dr. Agbu Kefas and the security agencies for working towards the return of normalcy in Gwomu, alleged that the efforts are by frustrated by FUDECO.
“It is just coming to our notice that upon all efforts put in place by the Government it is saddening to note that some group of individuals who have been under the umbrella of FUDECO still want to fan the flames of hostility.
“These individuals have even gone viral to give a press Release, Petitioning the Commissioner of Police, over their ungodly acts upon all efforts by the Government,” the statement said.
The statement further stressed that members of the community are not militias as claimed by FUDECO.
“We firmly denied these allegations, we maintain that we have been peaceful and law-abiding throughout the ongoing crisis.
“There is no record of a Gwomu man who launched an attack on the Fulanis herders,” the statement added.
Despite the signing of a peace pact between the two groups, residents of Gwomu community claim that the herders have been destroying crops and launching unprovoked attacks.
Community urges Taraba Govt to investigate FUDECO allegations