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Wake Up Taraba, Jalingo (2026)

10/12/2025

Taraba’s Insecurity Has Become a Leadership Failure — And Governor Agbu Kefas Can No Longer Hide Behind Excuses

Taraba State is sinking deeper into violence, fear, and displacement — and the governor, Agbu Kefas, stands increasingly exposed as a leader unable or unwilling to confront the crisis with the seriousness it demands. The worsening insecurity across Takum, Wukari, Donga, Ibi, Gassol, and other flashpoints is not the product of fate; it is the predictable consequence of weak political will, incoherent security strategy, and a pattern of leadership that confuses silence for wisdom.

The brutal attack on Mr. Adu Peter in Adamgbe village on 8 December is only the latest reminder. It follows months of killings, kidnappings, village raids, and forced displacement — yet the state government has adopted a posture that can best be described as passive resignation. Taraba’s rural communities, particularly the Tiv, now live in a state of perpetual siege, abandoned to a climate of fear with no significant intervention from the government sworn to protect them.

The scale of abandonment is staggering. More than 300,000 Tiv people remain displaced across the southern belt of the state. Over 283 villages in Wukari, 69 in Donga, and dozens more in Ibi and Takum lie empty — not because the people willingly left, but because violence drove them out and the state has failed to make their return safe. These communities have pleaded, protested, and petitioned, yet the administration continues to behave as though their suffering is an inconvenient footnote.

Worse still, many displaced groups accuse the government of deep insensitivity — particularly the decision to acquire 150 hectares of land in Ikyaior and Jandekyula to build a Forward Operating Base, even while the rightful owners continue to languish in internal exile. A responsible government would prioritise restoring these citizens to their ancestral homes before appropriating land for any reason. Instead, the administration appears more interested in militarised optics than in justice, resettlement, or reconciliation.

It is true that the recent nationwide directive to shut down boarding schools did not originate from the Taraba State Government. That instruction was federal. Yet the fact remains that such drastic measures only underscore the total collapse of security across the country — a collapse that has been felt most acutely in states like Taraba, where the governor’s own policies have failed to create a resilient local response. While the source of the order must be accurately acknowledged, the deeper truth is this: if communities were safer, such measures would not be necessary at all.

Beyond insecurity, Taraba under Kefas suffers from stalled development, administrative drift, and poor governance. Billions have entered the state through allocations, loans, and expected bond funds, yet the lived reality of citizens reflects no meaningful progress. Roads remain in disrepair, public services limp along without direction, and entire ministries appear paralysed. The opposition’s assertion that Taraba “lacks tangible development” two years into Kefas’ tenure is not political posturing; it is observable reality.

The governor’s pattern of announcing committees, emergency declarations, and rhetorical commitments — with little to show on the ground — has become emblematic of an administration that mistakes public relations for governance. Meanwhile, the violence continues. Families continue to bury loved ones. Villages remain deserted. Farmers cannot access their land. And tens of thousands live in limbo, waiting for a government that has yet to demonstrate genuine urgency.

Leadership is not measured by slogans or surface-level gestures. It is measured by outcomes. And in Taraba today, the outcomes are devastating.

Governor Kefas owes the people far more than sympathies and press conferences. He owes them action — credible, measurable, sustained action that restores security, resettles displaced communities, and rebuilds trust in the state’s capacity to protect its citizens.

Until that happens, the defining truth remains unchanged: Taraba is not failing by accident. It is failing because the man at the helm has allowed insecurity to outrun leadership

24/11/2025

TARABA ADRIFT: HOW A DRUNKEN SAILOR GOVERNOR IS BORROWING THE FUTURE AND JUMPING SHIP FOR SURVIVAL

Taraba today feels like a ship caught in a violent storm, tossed about not by fate but by the reckless hands of a captain who spends and governs like a drunken sailor. At every turn, Governor Agbu Kefas behaves like a man intoxicated with access to public funds, staggering from one borrowing spree to another, pledging the state’s future the way a drunken sailor pawns his boots and compass after too many bottles of rum. In barely two years, he has dragged Taraba into crippling debt — more than ₦1.2 trillion in loans, bonds, and external facilities — even though the state generated only ₦10.87 billion in IGR in 2023. No sober government, no responsible steward, would borrow at such a scale without transparency, without breakdowns, without accountability. But a drunken sailor does not keep records. He only keeps drinking.
The governor’s extravagant promises have dissolved like foam on the ocean. His declaration of free and compulsory education was delivered with the gusto of a sailor singing bold sea shanties, but reality quickly exposed the farce. Where are the ₦17 billion worth of uniforms and materials supposedly procured from China? Where are the renovated classrooms, the desks, the textbooks? Our children were promised a sunrise and handed a leaking lantern. Meanwhile, the ship keeps drifting. Even with unprecedented inflows from the federal treasury, Taraba continues to sink under his watch. From June 2023 to mid-2025, the state received over ₦437 billion in FAAC allocations. Yet roads crumble, hospitals falter, civil servants complain, and communities languish. It is as if someone keeps pouring precious water into a hull that has been punched open from within. The more money that flows in, the less development the people can see. Only a drunken sailor would preside over such waste while singing loudly about progress no one can find.
Comparisons paint an even starker picture. Under Governors Suntai and Ishaku, Taraba’s debt profile remained relatively stable, with development to show for the borrowing that did occur. External debt under Suntai hovered around US$18 million. Domestic debt under Ishaku rose slowly but was accompanied by visible projects. Today, domestic debt alone stands above ₦87 billion, with nothing commensurate to justify the figure. Instead, we watch our governor borrow like a sailor tossing coins to the wind, convinced that tomorrow is someone else’s problem. And while the finances sink, the political ship is mutinying. One by one, the Speaker and every member of the Taraba State House of Assembly have abandoned their mandate and fled to the APC. Now, reports suggest the governor himself is preparing to follow, hoping that switching parties — like a drunken sailor leaping onto a sturdier vessel — might secure him a second term he has not earned through governance. The official story claims the planned defection was postponed out of respect for the kidnapping victims in Kebbi, but critics know the truth whispered in the corridors: many of his commissioners are resisting the jump, fearing the backlash of abandoning the PDP. A sober leader would confront the dissatisfaction; a drunken sailor simply stumbles into the next convenient ship.
Taraba cannot continue like this — drifting, staggering, borrowing, and collapsing under leaders who act like sailors lost at sea. Elders, youth leaders, civil society groups, and every conscientious citizen must also speak up and refuse to let the future of Taraba be mortgaged by the whims of a man whose governance sways more wildly than a sailor after midnight. This is a time for courage. A time for clarity. A time for every Taraban to demand sobriety in leadership. A drunken sailor can be forgiven his foolishness in a tavern, but not when he is entrusted with an entire ship filled with lives, dreams, and generations yet unborn. Governor Kefas must steady himself, rethink his course, and confront the storm of his own making — for Taraba will not allow itself to drown in silence.

09/10/2025

Governor Agbu Kefas Set to Dump PDP for APC Amid Public Outcry Over Poor Governance

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, is reportedly making final arrangements to dump the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the platform that brought him to power and where he once served as a party chairman, for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The move, according to insiders, is a calculated political maneuver by a governor who has lost touch with the people and is now seeking refuge under the banner of “federal might.”

Governor Kefas, a retired military officer, was expected to bring discipline, decisiveness, and courage to the governance of Taraba. Instead, critics argue that his administration has been marked by inaction, indecision, and an alarming neglect of basic responsibilities. From crumbling infrastructure to unpaid salaries, from worsening insecurity to poor healthcare delivery, the story of his tenure so far has been one of lost opportunities and unmet expectations.

Observers have described his planned defection as a betrayal of both his party and the people who entrusted him with power. As a former army officer, Kefas was trained not to run from challenges but to confront them head-on. Yet, as the state faces deepening hardship, the Governor appears to be retreating—not from gunfire, but from accountability.

Political analysts say his desperation to join the APC is an admission of political failure and a lack of confidence in his record. “If Governor Kefas had governed with sincerity and vision, he wouldn’t need to jump ship,” one analyst remarked. “He’s running to the APC not out of conviction, but out of fear—fear of rejection by his own people.”

Under his leadership, Taraba has witnessed little improvement in key sectors such as education, agriculture, and infrastructure. Public frustration continues to mount as communities lament the widening gap between campaign promises and lived reality.

For many Tarabans, Kefas’s anticipated defection confirms what they already believe: that his loyalty lies not with the people or principles of governance, but with whatever political structure offers him the easiest path to survival.

In the words of a youth leader in Jalingo, “A soldier who runs from his post is no hero. And a governor who runs from his failures is no leader.

@ Wake Up Taraba

01/10/2025

As Nigeria marks her 65th Independence Anniversary, Wake Up Taraba celebrates the resilience and determination of our people. Today is a call to unity, peace, and progress, as we reflect on the sacrifices of our past and the promise of a greater tomorrow. Together, let us continue to build a nation where justice, equity, and opportunity thrive.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! 🇳🇬

29/09/2025

: When Roads Cry Out, Solar Lights Cannot Shine

In the heart of Taraba State, where Kurmi Local Government Area stands tall as the largest producer of cocoa, timber, and palm oil in Northern Nigeria, residents are drowning in neglect. Despite their contribution to the state’s coffers and their strategic border with Cameroon, Kurmi’s people live with a paradox: wealth in the soil, poverty on the ground. Their reward? A road network so broken that men, women, and children wade through mud to get to their homes.

Against this backdrop, Hon. David Abel Fuoh (DAF) thought it wise to “decorate” decay with solar streetlights instead of fixing the crumbling arteries that connect villages, markets, and livelihoods as` the honourable `memeber representing Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency. But the people of Kurmi said no. In an unprecedented act of courage, they rejected the cosmetic distraction of solar lights and demanded what every community deserves—usable, motorable roads.

There is an African proverb that says, “You do not plaster cracks on a mud house when its foundation is sinking.” The decision to install solar lights where roads resemble swamps is nothing short of an insult to human dignity. What use is a solar lamp when traders cannot bring cocoa to market? What use is a bright light when mothers in labour cannot reach the nearest hospital because the road is impassable? These lights, instead of illuminating progress, only cast a shadow on misplaced priorities.

Kurmi is not asking for luxury. It is asking for the basics: accessibility, mobility, and dignity. To cover a festering sore with powder is to pretend the wound is healed, but the infection only deepens. The people understand this; that is why they rose in defiance. Their refusal is not just a rejection of solar lights—it is a rejection of the politics of tokenism, of leaders who think their people can be pacified with glitter while infrastructure rots beneath their feet.

Taraba State must hear this cry. It must act. Roads are lifelines, not luxuries. If Kurmi, with all its natural endowments, remains landlocked in mud and neglect, then the promise of development in Taraba is a hollow echo. The people of Kurmi have sent a message clear as daylight: “Do not light our suffering. End it.”

History will remember this moment, not for the solar lights that never stood, but for the courage of residents who demanded roads instead of decorations. They have reminded us all that leadership without listening is tyranny in disguise, and that no light shines brighter than the dignity of a people whose voices cannot be ignored.

`@ Wake Up Taraba`

29/09/2025

Taravest Summit: Glitter Without Gold as Taraba’s Debt Rises, Investors Stay Away

Governor Agbu Kefas’ much-publicised Taravest International Investment Summit was sold to Tarabans as a bold step toward unlocking the state’s enormous potential in agriculture, mining, and tourism. Yet, when the dust settled, the summit delivered little more than political theatre — all show, no substance. Not a single new investor has set up shop in Taraba since the governor began his globetrotting in search of capital. Billions of naira have reportedly been spent on foreign trips and grand events, but the reality on the ground is a state still crippled by poor roads, unreliable power, and insecurity — the very basics needed before any serious investor will consider committing funds.

Former Vice Chancellor and governorship candidate Prof. Sani Yahaya voiced the frustration of many when he dismissed the summit as “a political performance lacking real substance.” He pointed out the embarrassing fact that Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu at the event, could not commission a single project completed under Governor Kefas. The only ribbon cut was at the Jalingo Airport — a legacy project of the late Danbaba Suntai, completed more than a decade ago.

Governor Kefas cannot dismiss these concerns. Yahaya’s alarm about a “₦1 trillion debt crisis” may exaggerate the figures, but the verified numbers are hardly reassuring. Official data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the Debt Management Office show Taraba’s domestic debt ballooned to ₦82.93 billion by Q1 2025, up sharply from ₦32.64 billion a year earlier. The state’s external debt stands at about US$21.92 million (roughly ₦34 billion).

When combined with Taraba’s pitiful Internally Generated Revenue — just ₦10.87 billion in 2023, one of the lowest in the country — this debt surge is nothing short of reckless. Borrowing, in itself, is not the enemy; but borrowing without a trace of transformative infrastructure or productive investment is simply mortgaging the future of the state’s people. The lesson here is one already echoed by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote: no investor, foreign or domestic, will come where basic infrastructure is broken, power is unreliable, and security is shaky. If local businesses cannot thrive in Taraba, what magic will entice foreign companies to stake their money here?

Governor Kefas must face reality. Taravest may have generated glossy headlines, but it has left Tarabans with empty promises and mounting debt. It is time for less spectacle and more substance. The governor must “sit up,” roll up his sleeves, and fix the fundamentals — roads, electricity, security, and governance transparency. Only then will Taraba stop chasing shadows and start attracting real, job-creating investments. Anything less is a betrayal of the people’s hopes, and history will not be kind to leaders who squander opportunities in a state as richly endowed as Taraba..

@ Wake Up Taraba

26/09/2025

“Ghosts, Glowing Headlines, and an Exam Scandal: Time for Taraba to Ask Hard Questions of Its Finance Commissioner”

In Taraba today, the Finance Ministry has become less about numbers and more about narratives—shiny ones, at that. While Mrs. Sarah Enoch Adi, Commissioner for Finance, continues to bask in glowing national features that paint her as a financial technocrat par excellence, ordinary Tarabans are asking: where are the real wins?

On paper, her administration can boast of a few things—1,500 new jobs and the purging of “ghost workers” from the state payroll. Yet, in a state of nearly four million people, should we really be breaking kolanuts over such modest achievements? As an old African proverb reminds us, “When a child washes his hands clean, he dines with elders—but washing hands alone does not make the food multiply.” Clearing ghost names is routine governance, not a miracle. And celebrating 1,500 jobs in 2025 is like clapping for rain during the rainy season—it was bound to happen, and much more is expected.

But while her praise-singers are busy writing glowing tributes, another story has quietly brewed: an exam scandal that has yet to be officially addressed. An exclusive video obtained by SaharaReporters appears to show a candidate, one Leavitt Felix, caught sitting the ICAN exam on behalf of none other than Mrs. Adi. The footage is damning, with supervisors pressing the impersonator to admit she was writing for the Commissioner. Instead of clarity, we are treated to silence from the Commissioner’s camp, drowned out by articles claiming “powerful interests” are plotting to unseat her. But, as the Igbo say, “The person who eats alone cannot point to enemies when his stomach aches.” If someone was indeed hired to sit an exam, it is not “interests” who must explain, but the person whose name was on the registration slip.

This is not to say Mrs. Adi’s efforts are worthless. Her academic journey and administrative roles suggest a woman of resilience. But in governance, the bare minimum should never be mistaken for progress. Tarabans deserve more than routine payroll audits and trickles of employment. They deserve bold fiscal reforms, creative policies that can absorb tens of thousands into productive work, and transparent leadership that does not sidestep scandal with flowery press coverage.

Governor Agbu Kefas now faces a test of his own leadership: will he continue to accept “minimum wins” wrapped in maximum praise, or will he demand of his Finance Commissioner the kind of performance that actually shifts the economic realities of Taraba households?

For now, the lesson is simple. One does not cover the sun with a palm. A scandal is not erased by glowing newspaper spreads, and routine governance is not the same as reform. If Mrs. Adi wishes to retain the trust of Tarabans, she must step into the public square, address the scandal head-on, and deliver results that speak louder than ghost stories and borrowed pens in exam halls.

@ Wake Up Taraba

26/09/2025

Governor Agbu Kefas Arms Taraba’s Defenders, but the Battle Is Far from Over

In a symbolic show of strength, Governor Agbu Kefas handed over billions worth of security vehicles to the Nigerian Army, arming Taraba’s defenders with fresh tools in the ongoing war against insecurity. The commissioning ceremony, marked by the gleam of armoured gun trucks and the imposing presence of patrol gunboats, felt like a moment when the state tightened its armour for the battles ahead.

“We are determined to wipe out insecurity in Taraba,” the Governor declared, his voice echoing with resolve. “We will dominate the air, the waterways, and every inch of our land. No hideout for criminals will remain.”

The fleet included four patrol gunboats, four Mine-Resistant Ambush Protection vehicles, and four Toyota armoured gun trucks—hardware that, in the Governor’s words, should “send a clear message that Taraba is not a safe haven for lawlessness.”

Yet, beneath the ceremony’s grandeur lies a sobering truth: the roots of insecurity in Taraba run deeper than the barrel of a gun. As one community leader quietly remarked at the event, “These vehicles are like shields for our soldiers, but true safety comes when the people feel hope, when the youth have work, and when justice is not delayed.”

Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, praised the Governor’s commitment since taking office in May 2023, noting that “his investment in logistics and support has been unprecedented.” The presence of senior military officers—including the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, and the Commander of 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa—signaled federal recognition of the state’s efforts.

Still, many believe this is just the first step. Like patching a leaking roof, military hardware may shield the state from immediate storms, but lasting peace requires rebuilding the very foundations. Jobs for restless youths, stronger community intelligence systems, and sustained inter-agency cooperation are crucial if the Governor’s vision is to go beyond symbolism.

For now, the gleam of new armour offers Tarabans a flicker of reassurance. But as the applause from the commissioning fades, the real test will be whether these tools of war translate into the quiet hum of markets, safe roads, and children walking freely to school.

@ Wake Up Taraba

15/09/2025

Tears Averted: Eleven Taraba Children Rescued From Looming Trafficking Nightmare

The bus was already on its way out of Taraba, carrying eleven children—ten from Wukari and one from Jalingo—who had been promised “vocational training” in faraway Delta State. But behind that promise was a darker reality: a well-disguised trafficking plot.

Thanks to a swift intervention, the children never reached the trap laid for them.

Taraba State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Mary Sinjen, could not hide her emotions as she addressed journalists over the weekend. Calling it a “sad and alarming case of child trafficking,” she said the incident was a wake-up call for families, communities, and the government alike.

“This is a painful reminder of the threats our children face. But thanks to prompt intervention, these children were saved before harm could come to them,” Sinjen said, her tone both relieved and firm.

Behind the statistics are vulnerable boys and girls who, in search of a brighter future, could easily have been lost to forced labour, abuse, or exploitation. Their ordeal sheds light on the desperate tactics traffickers use—preying on poverty, parental trust, and the innocent dreams of children.

Governor Agbu Kefas’ administration has moved to tighten the net on such crimes, most notably through the recent signing of the Prohibition Against Human Trafficking Bill. The new law prescribes harsh penalties not only for traffickers but also for parents who knowingly hand over their children to exploiters.

“Children are not commodities—they are the future of our state,” Sinjen stressed. “Anyone who dares to gamble with their lives will be held accountable.”

The rescue has sparked relief but also renewed vigilance. For the children, it is a second chance at safety. For Taraba, it is a reminder that the fight against human trafficking is not just about laws—it is about saving futures, one child at a time.

@ Wake Up Taraba

13/09/2025

Unanswered Questions Surround Death of Taraba State University Freshman in Jalingo

The Taraba State University community has been thrust into mourning following the mysterious death of Comfort Jimtop Oliver, a 100-level Mass Communication student, whose body was discovered in a private residence in the Bakasi area of Jalingo, reportedly linked to her boyfriend.

What precisely led to her demise remains unclear. Early reports suggest her body was found under circumstances that raise more questions than answers. While authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway, details remain sketchy, fueling speculation within the university community and beyond.

The police spokesperson, James Lashen, acknowledged the incident but admitted that he was yet to receive a full briefing from the Divisional Police Officer handling the case. His promise to “get back” with further details underscores the opacity surrounding the tragedy. For now, neither the exact cause of death nor the timeline of events leading up to it has been established.

The silence from the university’s official channels has further deepened unease. While the institution’s spokesperson was unavailable at press time, staff members who confirmed the tragedy maintained that the school will collaborate with law enforcement to “leave no stone unturned.” Yet, the absence of a formal statement has left many students struggling for clarity amid the grief.

Beyond the immediate shock, the case raises broader questions about student welfare, safety, and the vulnerabilities faced by undergraduates navigating life in an urban environment far from home. Comfort, hailing from Takum Local Government Area, had barely begun her academic journey before it was cruelly cut short.

As police investigations continue, the Taraba public and the university community are left with pressing questions: What truly happened on the night of her death? Could her life have been saved? And will the inquiry deliver justice—or fade into yet another unresolved tragedy?

@ Wake Up Taraba

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