“We Are Not Strangers, We Are Tsobo”: Indigenous Group Counters Historical Distortion in Adamawa
By Matthew Eloyi
A strong rebuttal has emerged from the Tsobo people of Lamurde Local Government Area, Adamawa State, in response to what they describe as “baseless claims” and a deliberate distortion of their ancestral history and identity.
In a powerful statement titled “A Vehement Response to Baseless Claims Against the Tsobo People,” the group denounced recent narratives suggesting they were “hosted” by the Bachama ethnic group, calling such assertions not only false but dangerous to peaceful coexistence.
“The Tsobo are the original and indigenous inhabitants of the mountainous and plains regions of what is now known as Lamurde LGA,” the statement declared.
“Long before the arrival of the Bachama, both historical sources and oral traditions affirm that the Tsobo had long established themselves in this region, farming in the valleys, hunting on the hills, and maintaining peaceful coexistence with neighboring groups,” it added.
The Tsobo community emphasized that their historical presence is evident in ongoing traditional practices, including key land rituals and cultural rites still performed by them—proof, they argue, of ancestral legitimacy and territorial ownership.
They further accused the Bachama of engaging in territorial expansion that historically involved marginalizing smaller ethnic groups, including the Tsobo, Jenjo, and Lunguda. “Sadly, this expansion included labeling the peaceful Tsobo and others as ‘slaves,’ not based on reality, but as a means to assert dominance and control,” the group said.
The statement noted that a similar pattern of marginalization has long been felt by other ethnic groups in the Numan Federation. It cited the political absorption of the Jenjo from Numan, the diminished role of the Lunguda in Savannah, and the assimilation of historically Tsobo areas like Waduku and Lamurde.
On recent accusations of aggression and the hiring of mercenaries, the Tsobo rejected the claims as “false and offensive,” stating that peace should not be mistaken for weakness. “No community should be expected to surrender its history or homeland in silence,” they warned.
The group also criticized the idea of a singular cultural leadership in the region, pointing out that genuine unity can only come from “justice, restitution, and mutual respect, not control or cultural erasure.”
In a direct appeal to the state government, the Tsobo people called on Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to commission an independent ethnic audit of land rights, cultural identity, and administrative representation in Lamurde and across the Numan Federation.
“We respectfully call upon His Excellency to ensure that truth and equity are not sacrificed for political convenience,” the statement said. “We are not slaves. We are not strangers. We are Tsobo—people of peace, heritage, and dignity.”
Ending with hashtags like #TsoboForPeace, #JusticeForTsobo, and #EqualAdamawa, the statement reaffirmed the group’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, while insisting on the recognition of their history, rights, and humanity.
The call now shifts to policymakers and stakeholders in Adamawa State to address the issues raised and foster an inclusive framework for ethnic justice and peaceful coexistence across all communities.