Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has ordered the temporary closure of the disputed Jumma’at Mosque in the Donga Local Government Area following a violent clash that claimed two lives and left several others injured.
The directive was issued during an expanded peace meeting held at the Palace of Gara Donga, the traditional ruler of the town. The meeting brought together traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, community leaders, youth groups, and representatives from various Muslim sects to address the crisis.
Governor Kefas, who was out of the state on official duty when the incident occurred, reiterated the commitment of his administration toward ensuring peace, unity, and religious harmony throughout the state. He said the closure was a necessary step to calm tensions and allow for lasting solutions to the long-standing dispute among Muslim factions in the area.
In this regard, the governor declared that the Traditional Council’s Mosque would not be opened until the government constructs three new mosques for Izala-Jos, Izala-Kaduna, and Darika sects to ensure fairness and freedom of worship.
“This is to ensure fairness, peace, and freedom of worship for all groups. And let me assure you that our Christian brothers under CAN would not be forgotten in the spirit of balance and mutual respect,” Kefas said.
He emphasized that his administration would not tolerate any action capable of disrupting the peace and stability of the state. “No faith teaches hatred. Religion is meant to draw us closer to God and to one another, not to divide us. Justice is the foundation of peace, and that is what we stand for,” he said.
He called on all sides to accept his call for dialogue and forgiveness, saying, “Peace is more valuable than anything. Without peace, there can be no progress, no development, and no unity. Let us guard it with love, patience, and understanding.”
Speaking on behalf of the Muslim Council, Malam Musa praised the governor for his fairness and wisdom, saying that the decision was “a step guided by wisdom.”
The religious leaders present, including Malam Rabiu of the Darika sect, Malam Sabo of Izala-Jos, and Malam Ma’awiyya, chairman of the Council of Scholars of Izala-Kaduna, thanked the governor for his intervention and promised that they were now committed to peace.
The Gara Donga also praised the governor for choosing dialogue over division, reiterating the commitment of the traditional council toward the sustainability of peace in Donga and beyond. The meeting closed with a joint prayer session where both the Muslim and Christian representatives prayed for divine guidance and lasting peace across Taraba State.
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