The leadership of the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN) has raised concerns over what they term alleged plans by the Taraba State government to demolish the Central Mosque in Takum Local Government Council of the state, along with the Ukwe Takum Palace in the same council.
The alarm, as noted by DAILY POST, was raised over the weekend during a press conference that took place in Jalingo, the state capital.
KYN, led by its national president, Emmanuel Ukwen, warned that these actions, if allowed to proceed, could heighten religious tensions in Taraba and beyond.
Flanked by some of his executives, Ukwen, who spoke through the state chairman of KYN, Barrister Markus Apwende, stated that the Central Mosque, which has served as a key religious site for the local Muslim community, is at risk due to the government’s urban development plans.
Calling for peaceful dialogue, they emphasized the need for the authorities to respect religious and cultural institutions in the state.
“A site engineer, along with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Takum and some individuals in vigilante uniforms, were seen marking and pegging the area around the mosque and palace,” KYN claimed.
While calling on the government to reconsider its actions, the group, which described the planned demolition as “the highest level of provocation,” appealed to the federal government and the international community to intervene.
“We call on the government and indeed security agencies to intervene and ensure that nothing happens to the Takum Central Mosque and Ukwe Takum Palace, as this will be tantamount to an insult and bastardization of Kuteb cherished customs and traditions, especially since the palace houses the graves of our past traditional rulers,” they demanded.
They added, “Nobody whatsoever will sit and watch the graves of his ancestors being excavated and be happy about it.”
Appealing to all the Kuteb youths to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting the response of the authorities on the matter, they emphasized the need for all peace-loving individuals to intervene to stop the “devilish plans” they believe have become necessary.
They stated, “Takum has witnessed a lot of crises, and tension is already high in the area. We do not want a situation in which there will be a breakdown of law and order or chaos.”
Efforts to reach state government officials for comment were unsuccessful, as all declined to speak until receiving clearance from the state’s number one citizen.
‘We will not sit by and watch our ancestors’ graves being excavated’ – KYN