Abuja, 29 June, 2020 / 8:49 pm (ACI Africa).
The continuous interethnic violent conflict between the Jukun and Tiv communities in Nigeria is a matter that is troubling the Archbishop of Abuja who is calling on members of both ethnic groups to put an end to the “mutual brutality” and extend to each other “the right hand of fellowship”.
“Why can’t the Tiv and Jukun in the name of God, stop the mutual brutality, the stereotyping, the daunting perception of one another and give one another the right hand of fellowship and do what they are known best for, farming and fishing so that they can experience economic prosperity and a healthy interpersonal relationship,” Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese said Sunday, June 28 during a televised Mass.
“I pray it will be possible that senior Jukun politicians, priests, or traditional rulers sincerely look straight into the eyes of this people and say, these are our brothers and sisters made in the image and likeness of God, we will do no harm to them,” the Archbishop said in his homily.
He continued, “I also pray that Tiv stakeholders can look lovingly, the Jukun people in the eye, and say, we love and respect you with God’s love because you are our brothers and sisters.”
Predominantly located in Nigeria’s Taraba State, members of the Jukun and Tiv communities have had recurring violent conflicts since 1959, reports indicating that the crises are based on disputes over ownership and control of land.
