By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Taraba Community – Oct. 08, 2025
The Ikyaior and Jandekyula communities in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State have kicked against the state government’s plan to allocate 300 hectares of land for a Military Forward Operating Base.
In a statement signed by Elder Agen Ali Karkigh, Elder Uyuan Imbyave, Elder Geoffrey Vendaga Henda Baka, Elder Peter Igba Ashe, Chief Ter-er Nenshi, Hon. Peter Achibo, and Prince Felix Aondofa David, the leaders alleged that the move was a plot to dispossess the Tiv people of their ancestral lands.
They described the proposal as suspicious, insisting that no FOB in Nigeria occupies more than 20 hectares. The leaders pointed out that similar bases in Wukari town, Kente, Sondi, Rafin Kada, Tsokundi, and Arufu cover less than two hectares each.
The state government had last week announced the allocation of 150 hectares each in Ikyaior and Jandekyula communities, saying the initiative was to tackle growing banditry in the area.
But the communities faulted the move, calling it a “misplaced priority” since the affected areas are peaceful, while over 280 Tiv villages in Wukari, 60 in Donga, and 20 in Ibi LGAs remain displaced without adequate security.
They accused the military of bias in past crises, claiming that FOBs in Tor-Iorshagher, Tor-Musa, Kyernum, Zegeate, and Tse-Daa often prevented displaced Tiv indigenes from returning to their homes.
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The leaders appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, and Governor Agbu Kefas to withdraw the proposed project, facilitate the safe return of displaced persons, and provide relief materials for internally displaced persons.
