Open Letter to His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State

Subject: Lessons of Arrogance and Abdication of Duty in the Face of Terrorism

Your Excellency

It is with deep concern and a heavy sense of responsibility that I write in response to a statement recently attributed to you, in which you reportedly declared your refusal to intervene in the ongoing terrorist attacks against the Tiv people in Taraba State on the grounds that “the Tiv people are not cooperating with me.” Such a declaration, if accurately reported, represents a troubling abdication of constitutional responsibility and poses a grave threat to the already fragile peace and security of our state.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥

As Governor of Taraba State, you were elected by—and entrusted with—the welfare of all the people of the state: Tiv, Jukun, Kuteb, Mumuye, Fulani, and others, without exception. You are expected to serve as a father to all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political alignment. To decline intervention in acts of terrorism against any group on the basis of alleged non-cooperation is not merely a political misjudgment; it constitutes a fundamental breach of your constitutional and moral duty.
Section 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) establishes the Governor as the Chief Executive of the State and, by implication, the primary custodian of its welfare and security. While operational control of security agencies rests with the Federal Government, the Governor remains a central figure in security coordination as Chairman of the State Security Council. Your role includes mobilizing intelligence, coordinating law enforcement efforts, engaging traditional and community leaders, and interfacing decisively with federal authorities to protect lives and property within your jurisdiction.
Leadership is not passive. In moments of crisis, it must be visible, decisive, and impartial.

𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨: 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙤𝙣-𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to life under Section 33(1), which unequivocally states:
“Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, except in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty.”
This right is inviolable and must be protected without discrimination.
Furthermore, Section 42(1) of the Constitution expressly prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the grounds of ethnic group, place of origin, religion, or political opinion. This provision binds all public officeholders, including yourself. Any refusal—express or implied—to provide protection to a particular ethnic group risks violating this constitutional safeguard and exposes your administration to legal, moral, and historical accountability.
To predicate state protection on “cooperation” is to dangerously redefine citizenship and undermine the very foundation of democratic governance.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥

Upon assuming office, you swore an oath to “do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.” This oath is neither symbolic nor conditional; it is a sacred obligation demanding courage, impartiality, and moral clarity.
Scripture offers sobering lessons on leadership. Proverbs 29:2 warns:
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
History and scripture alike caution against the dangers of pride and indifference. King Nebuchadnezzar’s fall (Daniel 4) illustrates how arrogance blinds leaders to their duty, while King Solomon’s famed judgment (1 Kings 3:16–28) demonstrates that justice and fairness are the bedrock of enduring peace. These are lessons your administration must consciously embody.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙗𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

History is replete with tragic examples of what occurs when leaders fail to act decisively against violence due to ethnic bias or political expediency:
The 1994 Rwandan Genocide, where state inaction and ethnic favoritism culminated in mass slaughter.
The protracted Syrian conflict, where selective protection and governance failure fueled terrorism and civil war.
Conversely, determined leadership—regardless of political differences—has often proven effective in curbing terror. The firm stance taken by global leaders who commit to confronting terrorism wherever it exists underscores a universal truth: terror thrives where leadership hesitates.

𝘼 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝘿𝙪𝙩𝙮

Your Excellency, the weight of your office demands that you rise above ethnic, political, or personal grievances. The Tiv people, like all residents of Taraba State, are entitled to immediate and unequivocal protection. Alleged non-cooperation is not an excuse for abandonment; it is a challenge that calls for dialogue, trust-building, reconciliation, and inclusive security strategies.
Failure to act decisively endangers not only the Tiv communities but the entire state. Terrorism does not discriminate—it exploits division, feeds on injustice, and flourishes where leadership falters.

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣

Leadership is ultimately measured in moments of crisis. The true test of greatness lies in the courage to protect all citizens, even amid disagreement or adversity. Arrogance and refusal to intervene embolden terrorists, deepen suffering, and stain legacies.
I respectfully urge you to urgently reconsider this reported stance. Embrace your role as a protector and unifier. Draw wisdom from history, law, and scripture alike: justice delayed is suffering multiplied, and peace demands courage without bias.
May your leadership be guided by humility, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to the sanctity of every life in Taraba State.

Respectfully,
A Concerned Citizen
Pst. (Barr.) V. T. Tortsugh