Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has intervened in the communal conflict that erupted in Donga Local Government Area over the ownership of a central mosque, a crisis that claimed two lives and left twelve others injured.
In a peace mission to Donga on Friday, the governor met with religious and traditional leaders to broker reconciliation among the warring Islamic sects. As part of his peace efforts, he announced plans to construct three new mosques—one for each of the sects involved in the ownership dispute—to restore calm and unity in the community.
Quoting verses from the Holy Qur’an, Governor Kefas reminded the factions that a mosque belongs to Allah alone, not to any tribe, group, or individual.
“In the sight of Allah, a mosque is not a property for contest. It is a sacred place where all believers stand shoulder to shoulder before the Almighty. When people fight over a mosque, they lose the blessings of Allah, but when they unite and forgive one another, the mosque becomes a source of mercy for the entire community,” he said.
The governor urged religious leaders to educate their followers on peaceful coexistence and directed that the disputed central mosque remain temporarily closed. He also instructed sect leaders to submit cost proposals for the construction of the new mosques as part of peacebuilding efforts.
Confirming the casualties, Donga Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ezra Voka, said that two persons were killed and twelve others injured in the clash. He disclosed that a curfew had been imposed to contain further unrest and called for additional security reinforcement.
Also speaking, the Gara Donga, His Royal Highness Ambassador Sanvala Shimbura Verzoa, commended Governor Kefas for personally visiting the area to address the crisis, describing the intervention as timely and appropriate.
The traditional ruler reaffirmed the commitment of the Donga Traditional Council to peace, fairness, and unity, emphasizing that the mosque “belongs to all Muslims, not to any single sect.”
In their remarks, Musa Yusuf, Acting Chairman of the Donga Muslim Council, and Malam Usman Rabi’u, Treasurer, expressed appreciation to the governor for his swift and decisive action, saying the gesture would go a long way in fostering peace and mutual understanding among Muslims in the area.
In a related development, Donga stakeholders in Abuja, led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Barr. Uba Maigari, commended Governor Kefas for his quick intervention during a courtesy visit at YY Danjuma House, Wukari.
They praised his proactive deployment of security personnel and early mediation efforts, which they said were instrumental in restoring peace and stability in Donga.
Responding, Governor Kefas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that peace remains the foundation for sustainable development.
“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, fairness, and mutual respect. My administration will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every community in Taraba State enjoys lasting peace and security,” he said.
