NON-VIOLENT PROTEST IN A GANDHI-STYLE GETS A WIN FOR IKYAIOR WOMEN IN TARABA STATE
Peace means cooperation. And that has to be organised. It means doing things together. Last week, the Tiv women of Ikyaior, a community located at the border between Benue and Taraba state, whose faith in the government of Taraba has eroded over time due to persistent discrimination and organize displacement, took to the street to protest their tribulation in the hands of the Taraba State Government.
The Protest was stimulated by the proposed designation of part of Ikyaior as a military base under the directive of the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas. A decision the locals had no prior knowledge of. This left in the air palpable tension among the residents for days.
With the arrival of heavy machinery, the bubble was burst as the women took to the street in their hundreds chanting slogans that convey their plight. The civil protests reflected the community’s anxiety about the impact of the forthcoming project on their land and livelihoods.
Recognizing the gravity of the community’s concerns, the Chairman of Wukari Local Government Area took the commendable step of suspending the operations and engaging in thoughtful dialogue with the Ikyaior community. Although the Chairman said the establishment of the army camp in the area is for safety of the Tiv people, many doubted his sincerity, believing it is a hidden agenda to evict the Tiv from their ancestral homes.
The Ikyaior masses were ever willing to listen to a voice that called them back to the dialogue table. However, it was jubilation as Wukari Local Government Chairman evacuated the heavy-duty machines stationed at Ikyaior as demanded by the Tiv women protesters to pave the way for dialogue.
A twist in the turn of events on Sunday took many by surprise when it was reported that the Defense Headquatres in Abuja had officially denied any knowledge of a military base being established in Ikyaior, Wukari, Taraba State.
