Scores Feared Killed, Houses, Farmlands Razed in Plateau Communal Clash

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Scores of persons have been reportedly killed and houses, farmlands and other valuables destroyed following a violent clash between irate youths of Tarok and Motola in Ponglong area of Lalin district of Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State.

THISDAY gathered that several other persons were severely injured in the clash, which started Saturday night and lasted till Sunday morning.

Confirming the incident, the Transition Chairman, Mikang Local Government, Mr. Daniel Kunmi, said it started as a clash between two persons before it was hijacked and escalated by the irate youths and criminals.

Kunmi said: “Within a short time, the situation degenerated, leading to the burning down of houses and barns. Several criminal elements took advantage of the unfortunate incident and rustled cattle as well as other valuables.

“We had to immediately report to security operatives who moved swiftly to the affected community to restore law and order.

“I just returned from the affected community and the situation is under control, but for now, we cannot ascertain the number of persons killed in the clash.

“I am also in touch with the Langtang North Local Government Council Transition Chairman, Hon Nanmwa Kumzhi, and we will be holding a critical stakeholder meeting soon as this clash affects people of his council too.

“I call on the people to be more tolerant and cautious of undesirable elements that might want to take advantage of the unfortunate situation to inflict harm on innocent persons.”

He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state is expected to visit the affected community on Sunday. 

Also confirming the incident, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Musa Ashoms, blamed the situation on a disputed land in the area. 

He said: “I have just called the Mikang Local Government chairman over the issue. He told me that it is something that could have been avoided and not allowed to escalate to the point that people lost their lives, and at the moment, there are persons receiving treatment at the hospital.

“It started as a result of a land dispute. The land in question cannot even produce six bags of rice, and you know when people are attached to their land, they can go the extra mile.

“It is something they could have controlled, but somehow, it got to a point where others too joined them and houses were burnt down and people were maimed.”

He advised the people to always explore alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in resolving their differences and refrain from taking the law into their hands.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, who also confirmed the incident, said security operatives had been deployed in the area while investigations on the incident are ongoing. 

He confirmed that peace has been restored to the affected community.