Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State is under intense scrutiny following remarks he made during a Christmas Day address concerning the escalating violence against Tiv communities in the state.
Governor's Christmas Day Address Sparks Outrage
Speaking in Wukari on December 25, 2025, Governor Kefas explained his reluctance to directly intervene in the recent attacks targeting Tiv populations in southern Taraba. The governor's statement came amid a surge in terrorist attacks and communal violence in areas like Takum, Wukari, and Donga Local Government Areas.
In his address, Kefas reportedly indicated that appeals from prominent Tiv figures would not pressure him into action. He also reaffirmed plans to establish Military Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the Ikyaior and Jandeikyura regions, areas predominantly inhabited by Tiv people, despite ongoing disputes over ancestral land rights.
MUT President Expresses Shock and Concern
In a strong reaction, Professor H. Agere, the President of the Taraba State branch of the Mdzough U Tiv (MUT), voiced deep concern over the governor's position. Addressing journalists in Jalingo on Tuesday, Agere criticized the state government's failure to engage with Tiv leaders to resolve persistent ethnic tensions, particularly between the Tiv and Jukun communities in Wukari LGA.
Agere highlighted a specific incident in Donga LGA where over 25 Tiv farmers were allegedly killed by Fulani herders. This attack was said to be retaliation for the farmers protesting the destruction of their crops. The MUT leader pointed out that Governor Kefas has neither publicly condemned these killings nor shown any initiative to coordinate a security response through state agencies.
"The governor is the chief executive and custodian of the state’s security. His silence and refusal to intervene raise questions about his commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Taraba residents, regardless of ethnicity," Agere stated.
Calls for Justice and Constitutional Process
The criticism extends to the handling of displaced Tiv persons in Wukari and nearby areas. Agere 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 in the zone.
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 also condemned reported military actions against civilians, including women trying to access their farmlands.
The MUT president urged Governor Kefas to take a definitive stand in protecting Tiv communities, ensuring justice and equity. He emphasized that dialogue is essential to break the continuous cycle of violence plaguing southern Taraba.
This controversy unfolds as Governor Kefas convenes a meeting of Taraba's political stakeholders, where he hinted at a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding a significant political dimension to the ongoing security crisis.
