RE:WE ARE UNDER SIEGE: TARABA MONARCH BREAKS SILENCE AS FULANI BANDITS OVERRUN THE ANCIENT KWARARAFA KINGDOM: 

Wukari Traditional Council
Aku-Uka’s Palace, Wukari, Taraba State

The attention of the Aku-Uka’s Palace has been drawn to a publication circulating on social media titled: “We Are Under Siege: Taraba Monarch Breaks Silence as Fulani Bandits Overrun the Ancient Kwararafa Kingdom.”

The publication is attributed to the Aku-Uka of Wukari, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Ishaku Adda Ali, Matakhitswen, and is said to have been based on a speech delivered by His Majesty at the recent Assembly of the ethnic nationalities of the old Kwararafa Confederacy, organised by the Kwararafa Development Forum (KDF) in Abuja on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

The Palace wishes to clarify that the publication did not accurately reflect the content of His Majesty’s speech, particularly with regard to the attribution of responsibility for insecurity to any particular ethnic group.

For clarity, the relevant portion of the speech delivered by the Aku-Uka stated:

“Our people have contributed immensely to Nigerian development in such areas as agriculture, the armed forces, natural resources, and culture, among others. Yet, many of our communities continue to suffer deprivation in areas such as infrastructure, economic opportunities, and general marginalization and discrimination in the nation’s political set up. Our appeal and clarion call is therefore simple: we seek for fairness, equity, justice, security and inclusion in all spheres of our national life.”

The Palace therefore wishes to emphasise that His Majesty did not, in the speech, identify any ethnic group as responsible for insecurity or violence in the areas associated with the old Kwararafa Confederacy.

The speech was also not limited to Taraba State. It addressed broader concerns affecting communities associated with the old Kwararafa Confederacy in different parts of Nigeria, including issues of security, fairness, equity, justice, inclusion and development.

The Palace considers it important that public discussions on security and communal relations are based on accurate representations of statements made by traditional leaders, particularly on sensitive issues capable of affecting peaceful coexistence among communities.

The Aku-Uka remains committed to peace, unity and peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic and religious communities in Nigeria. His Majesty has consistently advocated fairness, justice, equity, security and inclusion for all citizens.

The Palace also wishes to clarify that the speech delivered by the Aku-Uka was not a political statement and contained no reference to the 2027 general elections or support for any political party or candidate. His Majesty, as a traditional ruler, remains focused on promoting peace, unity, development and the wellbeing of the people.

The Wukari Traditional Council therefore urges members of the public, media organisations and social media users to rely on the actual text of His Majesty’s speech when reporting his views and to avoid attributing statements to him that were not contained in the address.

The Palace acknowledges the efforts of the Federal Government and other relevant authorities in addressing insecurity across the country and reiterates His Majesty’s commitment to supporting lawful and peaceful efforts aimed at restoring security and strengthening peaceful coexistence.

The Wukari Traditional Council appreciates the interest of the media and the public in the affairs of the Kwararafa people and calls for responsible and accurate reporting on matters concerning the security and peaceful coexistence of communities.

Danjuma A. Adamu, Esq.
Nene of the Jukun People