Bishop Innocent Solomon Urges Warring Taraba Communities To Lay Down Arms, Embrace Dialogue.
By Raymond Enoch
The Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management has issued a passionate appeal to the Shomo, Wurkun and Karimjo communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area to immediately halt hostilities and return to the path of dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
In a strongly worded message made available to Paradigm News International the Chairman of the Bureau For Peace And Conflict Management
Bishop Innocent Solomon, condemned the ongoing bloodletting and destruction of homes and farmlands, describing the violence as needless and completely at odds with the shared history of the affected communities.
According to Bishop Solomon, the people of Shomo, Wurkun and Karimjo “have gone too far in our historical experience and togetherness” to allow any slight provocation to degenerate into full-blown conflict. He warned that the stigma and scars of war are never a blessing to any community, noting that fighting on both sides only leads to deaths, displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and irreparable damage to economic, political and social institutions.
He stressed that such crises also carry severe consequences for public health and social order, with long-term physical and psychological harm to both children and adults.
Bishop Solomon reiterated that dialogue remains the only viable path to building authentic relationships between communities. He explained that sincere dialogue provides a purposeful platform for people to explore ideas, express differences and jointly shape a better future for themselves and their children.
On behalf of the Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management (TSBPCM), the Chairman extended deep condolences to all families who have lost loved ones and to victims who have suffered injuries, displacement or loss of property in the crisis. He also sympathised with the relatively young administration in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, regretting the huge losses recorded so far and appealing for calm across all divides.
Bishop Solomon acknowledged the efforts of security agencies deployed to the affected areas for their role in stabilising the situation and restoring order, even as he called for continued professionalism and restraint.
He further commended the commitment of His Excellency, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas for giving sustained attention to building structures and mechanisms for promoting peace across the state. He emphasised that the success of these initiatives depends on the cooperation of all citizens and communities.
Reaffirming the Bureau’s mandate, Bishop Innocent Solomon pledged that the Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management will continue to engage stakeholders, mediate disputes and support every genuine move toward reconciliation in Karim Lamido and other parts of the state.
He ended his appeal with a firm call on the Shomo, Wurkun and Karimjo communities to lay down their arms, embrace dialogue and choose peace over destruction for the sake of current and future generations.
