Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has decided to enforce a 24-hour curfew on Karim town, the headquarters of Karim Lamido Local Government Area (LGA) and its surrounding areas, effective July 2, 2023.
The curfew was imposed amidst heightened tensions and communal conflicts that had resurfaced in certain parts of the local government area, resulting in the unfortunate loss of over thirty lives.
A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Yusuf Sanda, announced the strict enforcement of the curfew by security agencies, with a warning that any individual or group found violating the order would face legal consequences.
The statement also advised ward heads, village heads, traditional rulers, and stakeholders in Karim Lamido LGA to take note of the governor’s decision, leaving room for speculation and controversy.
The conflict that led to this drastic measure can be traced back to May when clashes between two ethnic groups erupted following the appointment of a Wurkun man as the monarch in the area.
The Karimjo people perceived this appointment as unjust, especially after a new chiefdom was created for the Wurkuns in Bambur. Since then, the communities have been embroiled in an ongoing dispute, resulting in unfortunate casualties and property damage.
The police command spokesperson, Usman Abdullahi, described the clashes as “guerrilla attacks” and reported a series of retaliatory strikes between the Wurkuns and the Karimjos.
In an attempt to restore order, a joint security team comprising military and police personnel were deployed to the area, as confirmed by Mr Abdullahi.
The recent wave of violence, including the loss of lives, destruction of houses, farmlands, and domestic animals, occurred shortly after Governor Agbu Kefas held a meeting with traditional rulers and heads of security agencies, emphasizing the urgent need for peace.
Governor Kefas’ decision to impose a curfew, is an attempt to quell the escalating tensions and restore calm to the affected community. However, some may argue that the governor should have taken swift action when the conflict first emerged in May to prevent the loss of innocent lives.
Regardless of the underlying controversy, it is evident that any form of conflict, whether internal or external, inevitably leads to widespread destruction and should be addressed promptly to protect the well-being of all individuals involved.
