Jole Community Development Association in Lau local government area of Taraba state has called on the state government to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the continuing crisis between Jole and Shomo.
The chairman of the community, Mr.Luka Audu, told North East Trust that it was necessary because of persistent crises between the two ethnic groups.
He said the recent clash between Shomo and Jole claimed about 25 lives and property worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
He said setting up of a panel to investigate the crises was one the best ways of finding a lasting solution to the rivalries between the two ethnic groups.
He said previous committees set up by various governments in the past failed to yield any result, thereby allowing the hostilities between the ethnic groups to continue.
Audu said it was unfortunate that the Shomoh people had continued to contest the ownership of the Marmi lake which has been an incontestable property of the Jole people through recorded history.
He said successive governments in the state have not shown enough political will to put the records straight and put an end to the conflict.
The chairman described the recent attack on the Shomoh communities as unfortunate and denied alleged involvement of the Jole people in the attack.
“It has become necessary for us as a people to address the public and set the records straight.
“We call on the state government to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to ascertain the true ownership of the Marmi lake that has been the cause of hostilities and whoever is found to be the true owners should be handed over their rights,” he said.
