THREAT TO THE LIFE OF SARKIN HAUSAWA TAKUM IS THREAT TO TAKUM PEACE

 

The attention of Takum Samba Socio-Cultural Development Association (Takum 

Samba SCDA) has been drawn to a live video broadcast on Tuesday April 8, 2025 by one Mr Japhet Kwabche on his “True Comrade TV”, an online platform. In the broadcast, Mr Kwabche made some strong declarations and statements directed at the Sarkin Hausawa Takum, Alhaji Hudu Ismail Madugu, and for the information of his family, community and whosoever that cared. However, we view that outburst as a threat, not only to the life of Sarkin Hausawa, but also to the prevailing peace and progress of the town, Takum. Takum has survived series of communal crises. Threats to life and property should not and cannot be viewed as freedom of speech or a right to freedom of expression. Whether Mr Kwabche was provoked by the Sarkin Hausawa is not the issue. The prevailing peaceful coexistence that has attracted so many life-changing projects to the ancient town is paramount in our hearts as the main stakeholders of Takum. 

The outright show of might and threat should not be condoned in a civilized society like ours. Here are some of the specific declarations among the several dangerous statements made by Mr Kwabche on his online, True Comrade TV:

1. We would like to inform you that, the Mai-Angwan Hausawa, Alhaji Hudu Ismaila 

Madugu Irajab would be leaving the leadership of Sarkin Hausawa soon.

2. Alhaji Madugu will never be there...

3. Sarkin Hausawa, whether he likes it or not, he must leave the leadership of Mai-Angwan Hausawa, that one there is no going back about it.

4. So he should have it at the back of his mind and his family that his business and 

his family, has come to an end.

5. So, ya san cewa kasuwancinsa da iyalinsa ta iso karshe. (Translated as so, he 

should know that his businesses and his family has ended in Takum)

6. Sarkin Hausawa, "za ka gudu kabari garin Takum, ko takalmi baza ka sa a kafaba", loosely translated as “Sarkin Hausawa will run and vacate Takum town without foootwears”

7. "Ba zaka zo kaci amanam mu, kazage mu, Allah na sama yabarka lafiya ba"! it would not work!! Translated as “You can’t come to our town, insult us and betray us”

8. "Ka sa a zo a pasa mana masalaci" (Translation: You came and demolish our 

mosque)

9. "Sai ka bari leadership na Sarkin Hausawa" (translation: Until you leave the position of Sarkin Hausawa)

10. ….do you know the consequences before, the consequence is death.

We view Mr Kwabche's declarations with so much exception. Declarations that carry weight like these are no longer taken as mere statements or expressions. This is because apart from being unfriendly and confrontational, they carry with them, the expectation of a serious action that must have been planned.  Therefore, it may not be out of place to regard such bold outburst as a threat to life and property of the Sarkin Hausawa, his family, and by extension the whole town and her inhabitants. This should be viewed as going beyond Sarkin Hausawa and his family. The whole of Takum will not be insulated if the action to destroy, as given by the wordings of Kwabche's declarations, is allowed to be executed. It is a sort of declaration of war.

Ordinarily, we would have waved the threat as nothing but when a man who has not been proven to be a drug addict or diagnosed with drugs abuse, behaves like one, you give him some benefits of the doubt. We have observed that Mr Japhet Kwabche’s usual outings on that medium has been very worrisome, but have always regarded him as one who has lost his bearing in an unfounded desperation for his tribe. But the frequency of this type of inciting outburst and threat to the peace of Takum has made it imperative for us to speak for the voice of peace and unity for progress.

*Points to Note*

a. Mr Japheth Kwabche spoke as a complete authority, whether constituted or not. He spoke with the air of total control. We want the government to take note of this.

b. By his declarations, it implies that Mr Kwabche and his syndicate have the capacity to execute all his threats, and have taken the responsibility of whatever may befall Alhaji Hudu Ismaila Madugu, and members of his family. This is a dangerous trend if allowed to prevail, given the background that the Hausa Community of Takum was once subjected to killings, maiming and destruction of property by the co-travelers of Comrade TV and the whole town suffered grief and losses. 

c. We can't understand what interest Mr Kwabche, an indigene of Ussa LGA and a non-Muslim, has against a Sarkin Hausawa in Takum whose Rogo Ward is made up of mostly Muslims. How has he been brought to meddle in the affairs of Takum 

LGA, where he should be a visitor or stranger?

*Our Concerns*

i. The threat by Mr Japhet Kwabche is not dissimilar to that made by one coalition of syndicates a year ago, which is still constituting problems in Takum and her surroundings today.

ii. We are well mindful that even after we had discovered a secret coalition, which claims to be for political purposes, kidnapping and killings has resurfaced in and around Takum axis and other parts of Southern Taraba. For example, the former Gara Chanchanji was murdered with his son along Chanchanji-Takum road. Shortly thereafter, a commercial vehicle carrying passengers was attacked and all the occupants hacked to death along the same road. The most fresh in mind; just few days ago, one of the Engineers, an Israelite, of the company constructing the 

Takum-Chanchanji road was kidnapped along the road. These results are unacceptable.

iii. The broadcast by Japhet Kwabche is laden with criminal pronouncements which clearly call for the immediate intervention of the government of the State and relevant security agencies.

iv. Mr Kwabche's True Comrade TV station has been one of the most dangerous social media platforms for inciting and grooming one group against another or against individuals, ostensibly out of greed, or bigotry.

*Our Appeal*

1. Mr Japhet Kwabche's statements and declarations are laden with criminal 

pronouncements and should be treated as such.

2. We hereby call on the government of Taraba State under the leadership of HE Dr Agbu Kefas to intervene via his security operatives and protect the lives and property of the family of Sarkin Hausawa, the Hausa Community and Takum as a whole from Mr Kwabche and co-planned action which we view will not go down well with the prevailing peace in the ancient city.

3. We call on the Nigeria Police Force to take action without wasting time before 

Kwabche and his group try to implement any of their plans against the life of the Sarkin Hausawa which will also affect anybody in Takum. He should be arrested and 

tried.

4. We alert all the Security Agencies to take this as a formal report for urgent action against criminal tendencies being planned to be carried out against Takum.

5. Mr. Kwabche should be invited for interrogation for this inflammatory outburst that has been a source of worry over the security of Sarkin Hausawa and the entire Hausa community in Takum.

6. Mr. Kwabche and his sponsors have more information about the questionable 

evils that sometimes happen around Takum and its environs.

*Conclusion*

Mr Japhet Kwabche, on his True Comrade TV made declarations that appear he is possibly leading an elimination gang. This is because his statements and declarations are laden with criminal pronouncements. We fear for our lives and that of the people of Takum, regardless of tribe or religion. It is possible that Mr Kwabche and his sponsors have more information about the questionable evils that sometimes happen around Takum and its environs. We alert the State Government and all security agencies to take this as a formal report for urgent action against criminal tendencies being planned to be carried out against Takum.

We hereby assure the administration of Dr. Agbu Kefas of our full support for his government and the rule of law. We patiently await government action.

Thank you all for listening.

Comr. Victor Dan Usman

*Chairman, Takum Samba Socio-Cultural Development Association.*