STATE INTERVENTION IN COMMUNAL CONFLICT: A STUDY OF TIV-JUKUN CRISIS IN TAKUM AND WUKARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF TARABA STATE (2001-2019)

Abstract

Tiv and Jukun conflict is amid frequent socio-ethnic violence that devours the economic
and political stability in Nigerians' peaceful co-existence in recent time for national
development. Despite concerted intervention by the government at both federal and state
levels, the conflict between Tiv and Jukun communities in Taraba state seems to defy every
solution. Succinctly, this paper examined the strategies adopted by Taraba State
government in the management of Tiv and Jukun crisis in Takum and Wukari Local
Government Areas of Taraba State. The study postulated that the strategies adopted by
Taraba State government are not suitable for the management of Tiv and Jukun
crisis in Takum and Wukari Local Government Areas of Taraba State. Protracted Social
Conflict Theory by Edward Azar (1990) had been adopted as theoretical frameworks to
underpin the study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources while
the analytical tools employed include descriptive statistics. It was revealed that poor
implementation of the commission of enquiry's recommendation is responsible for the
protracted conflict between Tiv and Jukun communities in the state. It was therefore
concluded that the conflict will continue to linger unless dialogue and proper
implementation of the commission of enquiry recommendation is done. It was
recommended that dialogue between conflicting parties and the proper implementation
of the commission of enquiry's recommendation on Tiv and Jukun conflict in Taraba state
should speedily be done.