Fresh Taraba Violence Allegedly Claims Several Lives
The renewed ethno-religious violence in Taraba has left many people injured and scores feared killed.
Premium Times referred to the information provided by the locals of Wukari town, where the incident occurred.
According to one of them identified as Lawal Sambo, he and his household were forced to hide inside the bush after armed Jukun youth attacked Sabon Gari and Kantana wards, so as the market, where Hausa speaking people dominate.
He narrated that Sabon Gari had been burnt by the attackers who stormed the area around 7a.m.
Another local, Suleiman Adam, confirmed the attack stating however that nobody was sure of its reason. He recalled that there was some misunderstanding between a Hausa youth and a Jukun youth yesterday, but said the incident was not serious and had been settled.
The violence reportedly continues and has already spread to a nearby Rafinkada town, moving farther towards Ibi.
UPDATE
Taraba police command Joseph Kwaji's spokesperson confirmed to NAN the death of 11 people in Wukari and 4 people in Ibi, however Leadership refers to the words of Suleiman Adam, who said that 30 people died in the clash.
Meanwhile Sahara Reporters puts the casualty figure at 50 with reference to the soldier who claimed to have counted this many corpses on both sides.
Some critics believe that officials provide lower figures to downplay the conflict scale.
Stating that calm has been restored in the area Kwaji warned people against spreading the "exaggerated" casualty figures and vowed to bring such people to justice.
It would be recalled that 21 people were killed, many injured and a lot of houses were razed during the violence that occurred in the same Wukari town of the state in April.
Source: Legit.ng
