JUKUN MILITIA ALLEGEDLY DESECRATES, BURNS CORPSE OF RETIRED TARABA CIVIL SERVANT IN CHIINA VILLAGE
Wukari, Taraba State– In a shocking act of violence, a suspected Jukun militia group, turning allegedly led by Mr. Angyu Yavini, is accused of desecrating and burning the corpse of Sir Michael Umough Usange (KSM), a 67-year-old retired Director in the Taraba State civil service, on June 28, 2025, in Chiina village, Wukari Local Government Area (LGA). The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for justice amid ongoing ethnic tensions between the Jukun and Tiv communities in southern Taraba.
Sir Michael Usange, a respected educator who served as principal in various secondary schools across Taraba, passed away due to illness exacerbated by the hardships he faced as a refugee following the 2019 Jukun-Tiv crisis. According to Peter Achibo, the leader of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Wukari LGA, the desecration of Usange’s grave was a deliberate act of barbarism. “The desecration of his grave is not only a personal attack on his memory but an affront to all standards of humanity and decency,” Achibo stated in a press release. He further accused Mr. Angyu Yavini and his militia, demanding their immediate arrest and prosecution.
The Wukari Divisional Police Officer (DPO) responded swiftly to reports of the incident, deploying officers to the abandoned Chiina village to recover the remains of Sir Michael’s body. The police ensured a dignified reburial, an action commended by Achibo. “We commend the Wukari DPO and his team for this courageous and humane intervention,” he said, praising their professionalism in a region plagued by insecurity.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents linked to the protracted Jukun-Tiv conflict in southern Taraba, which has claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands since 2019. According to a 2020 report by *Businessday NG*, the ongoing crisis has disrupted farming communities, threatening food security in the region. Previous incidents, including the burning of villages and attacks on civilians, have been attributed to militia groups from both sides, with allegations of impunity fueling the unrest.
Achibo called for urgent action to address the violence, outlining three key demands: “Immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Angyu Yavini and all his known accomplices, justice for Sir Michael Usange and his grieving family, who have endured untold suffering, and an end to the reign of terror, lawlessness, and impunity in Wukari LGA and surrounding communities.”
The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed an ongoing investigation into the Chiina incident, with plans for a security meeting involving the Wukari Local Government Traditional Council to foster dialogue and prevent further violence. “Patrol and surveillance operations are ongoing to forestall further violence and ensure stability in the area,” a police spokesperson stated.
The burned body of the deceased
The incident underscores the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the Jukun-Tiv conflict, which has been driven by disputes over land, citizenship, and political rights. Security experts have urged Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and his Benue counterpart, Hyacinth Alia, to collaborate with traditional leaders to address the root causes of the crisis and restore peace.
As the region grapples with this latest atrocity, the Tiv community in Wukari continues to demand protection, dignity, and justice. “The Tiv people of Wukari LGA deserve protection, not continued silence in the face of atrocities,” Achibo emphasised.
