Some of the most productive areas in terms of copper are the Gimbi, Jawando and Mavo in Wase LGA. This region is accredited to be the richest region in terms of natural minerals and holds commercially viable mineral levels like the copper deposits, Gypsum, Hard Rock, limestone, calcite strantonite, and Galena (Sterlington Resources, 2014). These rich deposits have been another central cause of conflict and violence especially directed towards the Taroh of Wase LGAwith the guise of sharing out the proceeds of the resources. It also has seen the hostilities that have been directed towards the creation and stability of the Kadarko Chiefdom since the Hausa and Fulani feel that the mineral deposits need to be shared equally among all the tribes surrounding the region and the creation of the Chiefdom would alienate them from the proceeds. However, more worrying is the intention and action of the clandestine groups among the Hausa and Fulani in relation to the proceeds of the minerals mined from the region. The real intention is to use the money exchanged at the mines to finance extremist groups from these two tribes like the Boko Haram who in turn come back to terrorize the Christian community that is predominantly Taroh tribe. The Hausa/Fulani, under the banner of 'Wase Banda Yergam' have been seen to organize to uproot the Taroh of Wase and Langtang. The other factor is the numerical majority of the Taroh tribe in Wase LGA that gives them an upper hand in the elective positions within the region. The Taroh tribe is seen to compose of the majority in this region making up for 66% of the entire population in this region. It is observed that each time the election periods come close and the election time table is released, there are acrimonious events that are witnessed in the region with the intention of excluding the Taroh people from vying for the elective positions by making as many of them displaced and in effect cannot participate in elections nor vie for positions, leading to a situation of taxation without representation. The role of the traditional units

The traditional units within Wase play a significant role in the handling of the conflicts, and that runs from the Emir or the paramount chief, all the way down to village and ward heads. The high role of upholding peace within the region s fundamentally the jurisdiction of these traditional units both in the Islamic and Christian communities that live in Wase LGA. The Emir is considered the center of power in an Emirate and wielded excessive power. He is assisted by the Emir's advisory Council whom he appointed from among the upper echelons of the society. He is also the only person from the traditional units that is allowed to contribute in policy making at the higher levels and meets regularly with residents apart from attending the Annual Conference of Chiefs in Northern Nigeria. The Emirs in this respect have been seen to be very instrumental in peacemaking and in mediations due to the centrality of his position in the community. They are known to have mediated serious religious conflicts as well as ethnic conflicts.

The Emirs can also act as catalysts to violence due to the respect and honor they derived from the virtue of their positions and the rigorous selection process that is deemed religious. They are trusted by their followers and highly respected within the region and beyond. Indeed, in times of strife or crisis, they are the first people that the central government consults for restoration of calm in the given...

The government policies are seen to be interpreted through the Emirs' communication channels and even national and foreign dignitaries often consult the Emir of the region in order to have their programs run successfully and get the support of the people (Roger B., et.al., 2006). This massive followership and immense powers that they hold is however abused at times and used to give directions to violence against another tribe.
Taking into account the spate of violence and attacks that are seen to be directed at the Christians of Taroh origin in the account outlined in the list presented by WordPress, (2014), which is a collection of facts around the violence that has been experienced by the Christian Taroh tribe in the year 2013, it is apparent that there is a calculated move to have the Taroh finished within the Wase region and leave the entire region to the Muslim population to occupy and expand their interests within that region. This has been a case of property conflict turned into religious contestation that led to the Hausa/Fulani wiping out villages that were dominated by Christians. The Muslims go round burning down houses and churches so that the displaced Taroh Christians do not come back to the region that they insist must be occupied by Muslims (Religious Freedom Coalition, 2013). These are extremists and Islamic groups who are coordinated by the Emirs and the Ciroman to conduct the attacks and still enjoy protection from them in case of intended legal actions. They also use these clandestine groupings to protect their community against possible retaliatory attacks.

References

BBC News Africa, (2013). Nigeria cattle feud: Villagers killed in Plateau state. Received May 14, 2014 from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-23099421

Miner C.S., (2002). Nigeria: The Wase Crisis and Taroh People: the Truth of the Matter. Received May 14, 2014 from http://allafrica.com/stories/200208120403.html

NigerianISM, (2012). Gov. Al- Makura Dissolves 10 Chiefdoms in the State. Received May 14, 2014 from http://www.nigerianism.com/?p=983

Religious Freedom Coalition, (2013). Muslim ethnic Fulani mount attacks in Plateau state; Boko Haram strikes in Borno. Received May 14, 2014 from http://www.religiousfreedomcoalition.org/2013/06/23/two-more-christians-slain-by-islamists-in-nigeria/

Roger B., et.al., (2006). The Role of Traditional Rulers in Conflict Prevention and Mediation in Nigeria.

Sterlington Resources, (2014). Gimbi, Plateu State-Cobre. Received May 14, 2014 from http://www.sterlingtonresources.com/web/8888/nsf/sbs.py?&_id=17090&did=1286&title=gimbi,%20plateau%20state%20%96%20cobre

News Tower Magazine, (2010). Tarok People of Langtang in Plateau State. Received May 14, 2014 from http://newstoweronline.blogspot.com/2010/10/tarok-people-of-langtang-in-plateau.html

Owolade F., (2014). Boko Haram: How a Militant Islamist Group Emerged in Nigeria. Received May 14, 2014 from http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/4232/boko-haram-nigeria

Universal Reporters, 2013). Re: Open Letter to the Executive Governor of Plateau State Da Jonah David Jang, on the Criminal War of Terror of the Langtang Tarok on Wase. Received May 14, 2014 from http://universalreporters247.blogspot.com/2013/09/re-open-letter-to-executive-governor-of_1929.html

WordPress, (2014). The Facts on Nigerian Violence. Received May 14, 2014 from http://factsnigeriaviolence.org/spreadsheet/2013-2/