In the quiet farming communities of Takum and Donga local government areas of Taraba State, grief and uncertainty now define daily life for hundreds of Tiv women whose lives have been upended by relentless violence.

Once sustained by farming and close-knit family structures, many of these women now find themselves widowed, homeless, and displaced, with no access to the farmlands that once guaranteed their survival.

Over the weekend, the women, drawn from communities including Adu, Gbundu, Demevaa, Tor-Damisa, and New Gboko, made a desperate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, calling for urgent intervention to end the attacks and restore peace.

Speaking on behalf of the group, their leader, Mrs. Msughshima Tersugh, painted a grim picture of a people pushed to the brink.

“We have lost our husbands, our homes and our farms. Our children are hungry and we don’t know how long we can survive like this,” she said, her words capturing the depth of despair shared by many.

According to Tersugh, the attacks—blamed on suspected armed groups—began intensifying in October last year. Since then, entire villages have been ravaged, homes set ablaze, and farmlands destroyed, leaving families scattered and vulnerable.

The violence has not only displaced residents but has also crippled their primary means of livelihood. For these agrarian communities, farming is more than an occupation—it is their lifeline.

With the rainy season approaching, fears are mounting. The inability to return home and cultivate crops threatens to deepen an already dire situation, raising concerns about widespread hunger and food insecurity in the months ahead.

“We are pleading with the governor and the President to help us with security so we can go back to our farms. Farming is our only means of survival,” Tersugh appealed.

Beyond the immediate loss of lives and property, the women warn of a looming humanitarian crisis. Many families, already weakened by displacement, now face the prospect of missing an entire farming season—a setback that could have long-term consequences on food supply and economic stability in the region.

They are urging the Taraba State Government to urgently deploy adequate security personnel to protect lives and property, facilitate the safe return of displaced persons, and prevent further escalation of the crisis.

For these women, the call is simple yet urgent: restore peace, so they can rebuild their lives. Until then, hope remains fragile, and survival uncertain. (Guardian)

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