Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State is under intense scrutiny following a controversial Christmas Day address regarding the escalating violence against Tiv communities in the state.
Governor's Christmas Address Sparks Outrage
During a speech delivered in Wukari on December 25, 2025, Governor Kefas explained his reluctance to intervene directly in the recent attacks targeting Tiv populations. He stated that appeals from prominent Tiv figures would not pressure him into action. Furthermore, the governor affirmed that plans to establish Military Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the Ikyaior and Jandeikyura areas, which are predominantly Tiv lands, would proceed despite local opposition rooted in ancestral land claims.
MUT Leader Expresses Shock and Concern
In a sharp response, Professor H. Agere, President of the Taraba State branch of the Mdzough U Tiv (MUT), voiced profound shock at the governor's position. Speaking to journalists in Jalingo on Tuesday, Agere criticized the state government's failure to engage with Tiv leaders to resolve persistent ethnic strife, particularly between the Tiv and Jukun communities in Wukari Local Government Area (LGA).
Agere highlighted a deadly incident in Donga LGA, where over 25 Tiv farmers were reportedly killed by Fulani herders. This attack was said to be retaliation for the farmers protesting the destruction of their crops. He noted that Governor Kefas has neither condemned these killings nor shown any initiative to coordinate a security response through state agencies.
Calls for Protection and Constitutional Process
"The governor is the chief executive and custodian of the state’s security," Agere stated. "His silence and refusal to intervene raise questions about his commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Taraba residents, regardless of ethnicity."
The MUT president also addressed the plight of displaced Tiv people in Wukari and nearby areas. He cited December 2025 incidents where Tiv residents who attempted to return to their homes were killed and their properties destroyed, despite the deployment of security personnel.
Agere called for strict adherence to constitutional procedures regarding land acquisition for the proposed military bases, warning against unilateral actions that ignore ancestral claims. He condemned reported military actions against civilians, including women trying to access their farm produce from cleared fields.
He urgently appealed to Governor Kefas to take a firm stand in protecting Tiv communities, ensuring justice and equity, and prioritizing dialogue to break the continuous cycle of violence in southern Taraba, especially in hotspots like Takum, Wukari, and Donga.
