The Southern Taraba Youths Coalition for Peace (STYCOP), have accused the state chairman of the Christian Association (CAN), Rev. Isaiah Jirapye, for his alleged silence on the attacks and killings of Christians in the state, especially, the reoccurring genocide in Kuteb land.
Besides being CAN Chairman, Jirapye, is also the President of the Christian Reformed Church of Christ (CRCN) as well as the Chairman, Taraba Christians Pilgrim Board.
In a statement, Rikwense Muri, President of STYCOP, said the silence of the CAN Chairman and his executives over the plight of Christians in Taraba state, speaks volumes.
Muri said, it was only recently that the CAN Chairman spoke against
bandits’ attacks in Yorro in a statement and called for seven days of prayers and fasting after a long silence on banditry-related killings and raiding of Kuteb communities in Takum/Yangtu/Ussa areas.
The statement said,”Many individuals have expressed concerns over the lack of action taken by the CAN Chairman towards the crisis occurring within his Local Government Area as well as senatorial district.
“Some pastors even went ahead to report Jirapye’s unethical actions to National Headquarters of CAN although such may not be considered the best approach; it is clear that many Christians are becoming increasingly frustrated with his attitude toward these issues”.
Muri also alleged that “the reason behind Jirapye’s silence on the ongoing carnage in Kuteb land, is because he knows that those responsible are mercenaries, sponsored by people whom he knows personally and who are against only the Kutebs.
“Jirapye knows that what is happening in Kuteb land goes beyond herdsmen-farmer conflicts but rather an ethnic cleansing…
“Many people have been displaced as over 100 Kuteb communities have been destroyed.”
Muri said, “Jirapye’s continued silence serves only to emphasise how much damage has already been done within Taraba state’s Christian Association family; victims belonging to Kuteb tribe will never receive fair treatment under such conditions due to ethnic biased by CAN Chairman.
“As a man of God, it is crucial that the action of the CAN Chairman reflects the values of peace that Jesus embodies.
“I publicly challenge Rev. Jirapye to visit IDP camps in both Kuteb and Tiv communities so he can witness first hand their struggles.
“Even though the Jukun/Tiv clashes has stopped , the Tiv are complaining that they are denied access to their ancestral land.
“The CAN Chairman must speak out on behalf of these people, calling for government intervention to stop ethnic cleansing, injustice and stereotype within these lands.
Since all those involved are “Christians, it is his duty as a leader among all Christians in Taraba State to promote peace, justice, and reconciliation amongst them and all communities.
“We seek a society at peace with itself- one where justice prevails- because any form of injustice poses a threat towards achieving this goal.”
