THE displaced members of Munga Lalau and Munga Doso communities of Karim Lamidi Local Council of Taraba State have decried Governor Agbu Kefas’ decision to ignore the mass burial of over 30 people killed in the communities on Friday night by herdsmen.
They expressed dismay over the governor’s action and described it as inhuman of a leader, who under normal circumstances, needed to have the spirit and sense of empathy for his people during the devastating period of human loss.
Kefas jetted out of the state at the time the communities were preparing to conduct a mass burial of the victims.
“This is inhuman of Governor Kefas. Imagine over 30 people have been killed and the governor didn’t mind to visit, rather he has left the state now that we are preparing to conduct a mass burial,” a community leader, Elder Ayuba Nbuyu, lamented. Vigilantes, Solomon Dashu and Kasu-Mai Abu, also deplored the governor’s absence at the event.
“It’s unfortunate Governor Agbu Kefas has displayed a character that proved he doesn’t have regard for human lives.” Over 30 people have been killed here, and the governor didn’t even visit to see things for himself.
Today, we are conducting a mass burial but the governor has rather jetted out of Taraba entirely.
“Yes, he has been traveling from one point to the other, but we feel that in a situation like this, the governor should show some levels of empathy to demonstrate some attitude of a responsible leader,” they said.
The governor reportedly departed Jalingo via Danbaba Suntai Airport at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Friday, the same time the grieving villagers were gathering bodies for the mass burial.
Community members also criticised security efforts, claiming that local vigilantes and hunters have been left to defend villages with little support from state forces.
While the state police commissioner, Emmanuel S.Brete, had visited the area to engage with both villagers and Fulani groups, the 6 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Kingsley Uwa, at the time of filing this report, was on his way to engage the relevant parties.
Over the past two weeks, no fewer than 57 people have been reportedly killed in Karim-Lamido, with hundreds displaced. Homes and farmlands have been razed, and dozens remain unaccounted for.
Calls are mounting for the governor to return and take decisive action, even as community leaders have demanded increased security presence and emergency relief for displaced residents.
