In a determined effort to overhaul Taraba State’s security architecture, Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas has inaugurated two critical committees and convened a high-level, enlarged security meeting to address growing insecurity and unrest across the state.
On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Governor Kefas inaugurated a Commission of Inquiry into the recent Karim Lamido crisis, which led to the loss of lives and property, as well as the Taraba Initiative for Farmlands and Forest Occupation (TIFFO). The inauguration ceremony took place at the Banquet Hall, TY Danjuma House, Jalingo.
The governor stated that the Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate the root causes of the Karim Lamido crisis, identify those behind the violence, facilitate justice, and promote reconciliation among the affected communities.
“Impunity will no longer find sanctuary in Taraba State,” Dr. Kefas declared, urging the Commission to “seek the truth and pave the way for lasting peace.”
The newly launched TIFFO initiative, he explained, is a strategic and structured intervention aimed at securing farmlands and forest reserves while regulating land use, protecting the environment, preventing illegal occupation, and promoting agricultural development.
The Emir of Muri, Alhaji Abbas Njiddah Tafida, appointed Chairman of TIFFO, and retired Justice Silas Haruna, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, thanked the governor for the trust reposed in them and pledged to carry out their duties with fairness, diligence, and integrity.
Expanded Security Meeting: “Securing Our State, Safeguarding the Future”
In a further show of resolve, Governor Kefas also convened an expanded security meeting under the theme “Securing Our State, Safeguarding the Future”, bringing together security chiefs, traditional rulers, civil society actors, and other stakeholders.
He emphasized that while Taraba has made significant progress in education, healthcare, and agriculture in the past two years, none of these gains can be sustained without security.
Governor Kefas outlined key threats facing the state, including illegal mining, infiltration through motor parks and marketplaces, cross-border crimes from neighboring Cameroon, and the presence of ungoverned spaces.
“This is a call to action,” he said. “Security is a collective responsibility. We must strengthen intelligence networks, empower youth and women with alternatives to crime, and collaborate with traditional institutions to reclaim our communities.”
He also advocated for a state-wide early warning and rapid response system, and emphasized the importance of protecting schools, marketplaces, motor parks, and places of worship.
Addressing the issue of illegal mining, the governor pledged immediate and decisive action to curb the practice and its associated risks.
To bolster grassroots security, he announced the expansion of the Taraba Marshals, a state security outfit, to include vigilante groups, hunters, and other community-based structures.
Building on Progress, Tackling Longstanding Challenges
Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, noted the governor’s unwavering commitment had already led to improvements in the security of lives and property.
He, however, acknowledged Taraba’s history of recurring conflict, citing areas such as Wukari, Ibi, Takum, Sardauna, Bali, Lau, and most recently, Karim Lamido, alongside cases of kidnappings and the killing of traditional rulers, as issues requiring continued attention.
Governor Kefas urged all participants at the meeting to offer practical suggestions and solutions, assuring that the government is committed to translating all resolutions into concrete actions for peace and stability in Taraba State.