Fresh crisis on Monday broke out in Zango and Wase, in Wase Local Government of Plateau State leaving over least 27 persons dead.
This is the third time that violence, which pitted Hausa/Fulani against their Taroh neighbours, broke out in the area.
Our correspondent gathered that a group of armed youths attempted to ambush Wase on Monday evening but were repelled by the community’s youths and vigilance groups.
A source said, “We heard gunshots being fired into our community and everybody started running, but we were able to chase the militants across Zango and burnt their camps around the area.”
A member of a Community Development Association from Yelwa Shendam, Alhaji Abdullahi Danbaba, who spoke on the incident, said he narrowly escaped the attack on his way to Yelwa.
He said from information he gathered, that over 27 persons were killed.
Tarok traditional ruler, Jessey Pyenkwam, told newsmen that he was informed a Tarok settlement had been razed down completely.
Spokesman for the Special Task Force, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, confirmed to our correspondent that there had been attacks around Wase but could not give the casualty figure.
Meanwhile, Special security outfit in the state, the Special Task Force, has intensified search for illegal arms and ammunition in the state.
Commander of the STF, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola, said during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Monday that the security outfit had seized a lot of arms and ammunition, including AK 47 assault rifles and locally made guns.
He said the proliferation of small arms in Plateau was a source of concern, especially to the men of the STF entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the peace in the state.
The STF commander pointed out that even the locally made arms seized by the STF members had the capacity to use the same 7.62 mm ammunition used by the security operatives.
He warned that the STF would arrest anybody caught with illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
He said, “The issue of small arms proliferation is of great concern to everybody in the Plateau especially to us that are saddled with the security of lives and property.
“However, we solve this problem through automatic cordon and search operation through which we have got several arms and ammunition.
“The adversaries, (that are what we have to call them now), are using other methods. There is need for a larger level of disarmament as was the case in the Niger Delta.
He said the crisis in Jos was political and a struggle for access to resources with some level of ethnic and religious colourations.
Also, Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Victor Lar, has called on the STF and other security apparatus to intervene in stopping the violence in the district.
Lar, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone from his home in Jos on Monday, said the renewed violence in his domain had undermined the peace that had been gained over time.
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Anonymous 10:12
ReplyDeleteSo Islam will reign through violence and bloodshed?
Then your religion is not a religion of peace.
The Most High God Jehovah is watching and all your people, you will surely pay for your sins, except you repent and accept Jesus as your personal lord and saviour.