At least two people have lost their lives after fresh upheaval erupted in the Karim-Lamido local government area of Taraba State.
According to reports, many locals have been reportedly injured while no fewer than five villages were razed by the riotous youths in the ongoing unrest.
The recent crisis, which began in the early hours of Saturday, was said to have led to the burning down of houses and destruction of property in Garin Marwa, Sarkin Kudu, Sallamin Kala and Yashi Pena. According to reports, fleeing persons from Karim-Lamido had sought refuge in nearby councils.
Recall that a few days before the inauguration of the incumbent administration, over 13 persons were killed, and several houses burnt in the council. The destruction and killings have left many people, the majority of whom were women and children, displaced.
According to a local, Seth Samuel Sule, who said many domestic animals were rustled, appealed to the government to wade into the crisis and deploy more security operatives to the beleaguered community.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the crisis in the council, describing it as “gorilla welfare”.
The Wurkun and Karinjo ethnic groups of the council have been at daggers-drawn over where the headquarters of the traditional stool of the area should be situated. The Police Command has blamed the ongoing attacks on the Karinjo community, adding that anti-riot policemen, soldiers and other security operatives have been dispatched to the area.
The PPRO also said the Karinjo engaged mercenaries from the nearby Lau local government, a situation which led to the destruction of five villages belonging to the Wurkun. He noted that the Command is on top of the situation, said normalcy would soon return to the two communities and the council at large.
