The Taraba State government says the recent attack on the people of Gassol and Bali Local Government Areas of Taraba State was from the neighbouring republic of Cameroon.
This is contrary to insinuations that the attacks on the two local government areas were carried out by suspects from the state.
The government absolved itself of allegations of sponsoring the crisis against a particular ethnic group in the state to cause confusion.
Lois Emmanuel, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, at a press conference in Jalingo explained that the allegation was the handiwork of mischief makers to cause unnecessary hatred and confusion in the state.
The Commissioner explained that the problem was a case of cattle rustling from the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon, who stormed several communities in the area, with the aim of making the state ungovernable.
She added that the attention of the Taraba State Government has been drawn to the ongoing rumours and mischievous interpretation being given to the current security challenges in Gassol and Bali Local Government areas of the state, saying it is the handiwork of mischief makers.
The Commissioner further explained that those behind the unhealthy development have tried all available wicked tricks to label the problem in these areas as a crisis targeted at a particular ethnic group, saying that the government’s findings indicate that the problem is a case of cattle rustling.
Further information available to the government, according to her indicates that cattle rustlers from neighbouring Cameroon invaded several communities in the areas and are threatening lives and properties, especially cattle belonging to the Indigenous inhabitants.
The state government noted that the development has attracted resistance from the local inhabitants, stressing that it is not an inter-ethnic or intra-ethnic rivalry but the two local governments are among the most naturally endowed parts of Taraba State in agricultural produce and have a natural attraction to foreigners and other Nigerian seeking comfort and career in farming and other business activities.
The state government said, “Criminals and social misfits are not left out in the rush to these communities for economic self-sustenance. In their case, they frequently exceed or outrightly abuse the boundaries of hospitality and accommodation offered by the indigenous people.
”The Internally Displaced Persons’ camps have not been spared by these visiting marauders who sometimes kill, maim and rape women. The attempt by the indigenous people to checkmate these trends is largely part of the issues currently at stake in the areas.”
