Tension Rises in Taraba Community Over Controversial Land Allocation

Fresh tension is brewing in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State following allegations that the council chairman, Mr. Nigeria Ezra Jatau, has allocated portions of ancestral land to federal agencies without the consent of the local community.

The Winlau Youth Development Association, a prominent youth group in the area, raised the alarm during a press briefing held in Jalingo on Friday. The group accused the chairman of unilaterally distributing land historically owned and cultivated by their people.

According to the association, the disputed land had originally been entrusted to Christian missionaries in the 1950s for educational and religious purposes. However, they claim it has now been reallocated to unnamed federal institutions without any consultation with community members.

“Our repeated efforts to engage the chairman in dialogue have been ignored,” said Yerima Bala Clement, General Secretary of the association. “He insists he is acting under the directive of Governor Agbu Kefas, but we seriously doubt that the governor would approve such a move without involving the host community.”

Clement described the action as a breach of public trust and a potential threat to the delicate peace in the area.

The youth body called on the state government and other relevant authorities to investigate the matter and halt any further land transfers until proper consultations are held with local stakeholders.