Nigeria: Priest killed on way to mediate between warring groups

Fr David Tanko

A Nigerian priest was killed on 29 August as he travelled to a meeting to mediate in a conflict between ethnic groups in central-eastern Nigeria. Fr David Tanko was stopped by armed men on the way to the village of Takum, where he was going to help draw up a peace agreement between the Tiv and Jukun tribes

According to local sources, after killing Fr Tanko, the men set fire to his body and his car.

His Exc Mgr Charles Michael Hammawa, Bishop of Jalingo, condemned the killing of Fr. David Tanko saying: "As soon as we heard the news of his death we were shocked. The diocese is in mourning."

The Bishop added: "We preached peace and made efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table. State police promised me they are investigating the case, we pray that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. "Our main concern now is to give him a proper burial. We do not want there to be retaliation that would only worsen the situation", warned Bishop Hammawa.

The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, said: "The murder of the Catholic priest highlights the urgency of addressing this embarrassing and persistent conflict. On behalf of the federal government and the entire people of the Country, I offer my condolences to the Catholic community, the government and people of Taraba over the losses arising from recent incidents involving the warring communities."

President Buhari said: "I have watched with trepidation and disbelief how hate and bigotry had inhabited the human soul, resulting in brothers killing brothers".

"Progress is impossible where violence and destruction are allowed to dominate our daily lives", added President Buhari, who acknowledged that "the Tiv/Jukun violence is one of Nigeria's most persistent and intractable security problems".

After assuring that the federal government "will not leave them to their fate", the President stressed that "the deployment of security men can only provide a temporary solution. The long term and lasting solution to this deep-seated antagonistic relationship between the warring factions depend on the willingness of those involved to listen to reason and give peace a chance".

"It is time for leaders of the ethnic groups to come together and draw up a road map for lasting peace. The impact of this persistent violence on the social and economic life of the people is incalculable", he concluded.

On 30 August, a special day of prayer for peace was held in the dioceses of the Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri (south-east). The priest's funeral was due to be held on September 2, while the burial will take place on 3 September in the diocesan cemetery of Jalingo.

There have been a series of armed attacks in the State of Taraba, the most recent in the area of Wukari. Two people were killed while a police officer was injured in the attack. In the nearby Donga Local Government Area (LGA), a student of the ECWA Seminary School was killed in the early hours of 28 August.

The conflict between the Tiv and the Jukuns dates back to many years. According to some historical studies the two populations lived in harmony until the advent of British colonisation, when the colonial authorities favoured the Jukuns to the detriment of the Tiv, planting the seed of discord which exists to the present day.

The conflict resurfaced violently on April 1st and was triggered by a dispute between a Tiv and a Jukun in the village of Kente in the Wukari area, which soon degenerated into a series of raids in the villages of the two populations, with deaths and looting. The violence also spread to the neighbouring State of Benue. In July, the governors of the two States concerned, Benue and Taraba, launched an appeal for peace, while Dr. Isaiah Jirapye, President of the local section of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), asked the two parties to dialogue, stating "to having made the necessary contacts for an immediate dialogue to guarantee the end of hostilities".