Crimefacts.news’s Ibe Pascal Arogorn in this interview with the Senior Special Assistant to the governor of Taraba state , Arch Dickson Ishaku, Hon. Habu Ardo explained deeply how the rift between the Ambazonia soldiers and Manga community led to grouesome killings by the Ambazonia soldiers as well as the origin.
Q: What is your name ?
A: My name is Hon. Habu Ardo.
Senor special assistant to gov Ishaku of Taraba
Q: Police in Taraba on Tuesday shot and killed a youth named Oliver Ezra over N50 bribery, the police havent reacted much on that. What are your thoughts and comments on that incident?
A: Well , the killing of the youth by the happy-trigger policemen took place around Monday last week. The deceased is an aide to Lawu LGA chairman Pastor Zaden. Unfortunately he was driving from Lawu to Jalingo because the chairman lives in Jalingo, the incident happened at the entrance of the city gate where there was a checkpoint of policemen.
According to an eyewitness, he said that the police officers stopped them which the driver (victim) stopped . There was a delay of time by police which made the victim came out to explain his boss’s identify to them for them to allow to him go. So as he was about to go back into the bus, the trigger happy policeman shot him through the back but he die at the spot .
Another police officer shoot him through the front, he was shot twice. He (Oliver Ezra) was rushed to the hospital not far from.where the incident took place.
Arriving at the hospital, the medical personnel that was on duty that day advised that the case was a big one and they should take him to a bigger hospital which is federal medical center Jalingo.
So they took him there, unfortunately two days later, he died. He died on Wednesday
Now the youths rose to revolt against police brutality. There was a serious protest in Government house to register their grievances over what the police did to Oliver Ezra.
The governor of Taraba was not on sit that day but the SA on political matter assured them that justice will prevail.
Q: The police have always gotten away with this kind of actions in different parts of Nigeria in many occasions. How has the commissioner of police in Taraba reacted to this incident?
A: Ibe, thank you for this question, I forget to tell you that commissioner of police in Taraba addressed a press conference in which all journalists are present. He said that right now, the officer who killed the youth has been detained and the police have set up a committee to try the officer.
The commissioner of police said if he is being found guilty of the police disciplinary act , then the police will dismiss , prosecute and allow him to face the law.
But we the state government are watching to ensure justice.
Q: Weeks ago a Senator raised concerns at plenary session of National Assembly Senate about the outrageous killings by Ambazonia soldiers in Manga community, Tarkum LGA of Taraba. What is really going on ?
A: Manga is community is a situated in Tarkum LGA of Taraba state.
The Ambazonias are separatists who agitating for liberation from Cameroon.
The movement started quite long ago, but the war with the camerounian authorities became unbearable for the Ambazonia solders, they ran into Nigeria for protection through borders. So some if them live with Nigerian states which have borders with Cameroun.
They came to Nigeria fur safety. Some communities accepted them because there is no way one can reject human being who is in dire need for help. When someone is ruining away from war, as a result of sympathy, you have to accommodate them.
Now, Because the Ambazonia solders have weapons and when they were are being accommodated in that Manga village, after sometime they start taking advantages in commiting all sort of crimes such as Armed robbery, raping of women etc.
They easily commit these crimes because they were armed. Now the village Emir (Chief of Manga) who was killed during this incident raised by the senator representing Taraba South senatorial district whee that is situated.
The Emir took some actions and said enough is enough because the ugly activities if the Ambazonia solders have gotten out of hand.
The Emir reported the Ambazonia solders to Taraba security agencies and he (Emir) went ahead to form a local community security outfit.
The Ambazonia solders felt that forming of the local security outfit is a threat to them. On that fateful day, the Ambazonia solders invaded Manga village and begin to shoot in the air, people started to running, unfortunately five people were killed including the Emir.
They also killed some business men in the forest. Over 12 killed .
But I thank God we have a proactive gov, the gov has taken measures to ensure normalcy returns to Manga by deploying security agencies in the area to maintain law and order.
Q: Ambazonia solders have denied killing the Manga villagers, attributing it to the Herdsmen. How true are these claims?
A: Ibe as I earlier stated, the Ambazonias are spread across most of the borders across Nigeria and Taraba. It was out of sympathy that the people of Taraba accepted and lived with them.
But for the Ambazonia solders to deny the killings of people in Manga is just “story for the children” . They are trying to defend their evil acts. They should apologise if there is any is a need to.
If I live with you for a long a time and you turn against me, definitely I should know that you are the one. The Ambazonians are living with the host community fur a while and the they started commiting crimes against the ethics of Nigerian society and Human and Emir felt that this should not continue.
On the claims of Ambazonians that the Fulani herdsmen are the one behind the killing in Manga community, What did the Emir did to the Fulani herdsmen that will spark those killings?. So I didn’t see any reason why the Ambazonia solders should deny the killings in Manga community.
Q: Are Ambazonians still present in Manga community?
A: With present of heavy security agencies in that community now, I don’t think they aee still living there.
Q: You talked about apologising, Is it the thing for the Ambazonians to do?
A: No I don’t think so. They are just biting round the bush. The hsvic has already caused.
Q: What other drastic action has the govt taken to protect people of Manga and communities , especially the affected people?
A: Aside security measures, the state government have food and relief materials to the community.
Q: Has the Camerounian authorities reacted to the incident.?
A: For now, I haven’t head about any reaction from them
Q: Gov Ishaku said he will complete all projects before leaving office
Is there any big project in Taraba that you feel he won’t finish before leaving office?
A: Gov Ishaku of Taraba is a man of project. He has delivered on his promises since coming into office.
Meaningful project are taking place at various areas in the state. He just submitted his budget proposal to the state assembly last Friday where he made mention of one of the biggest projects that is taking place in Taraba state which is Joroyinu dualization with six pedestal crossing and a flyover at the road block junction which is a multi billion naira projects..
Gov Ishaku said that if the project is not commissioned by the end if this year, definitely it will be completed and commissioned by early next year. I assure you that.
