By Iro Dan Fulani
Amidst lockdown, many people were reportedly killed as several houses and shops set ablaze when Tivs and Ichen clashed at Mararaba Baissa in Donga Local governments area of Taraba state, security sources have said.
Reports say that the crisis erupted between the two rival communities over land dispute, ‘’ you know there has been lingering crisis between the two warring tribes over land and chieftaincy disputes, but the issue got bad on Thursday.
‘’ Initially, security were deployed to the affected areas, but they couldn’t stay long and as soon they left another crisis erupted again.
‘’ As I am talking to you now, many were feared killed in the fight; there is apprehension everywhere women and elderly persons could be seen fleeing,’’ said a public servant who resides at Mararraban Ba’issa.
An Itchen man who simply identified himself as David alleged that, ‘’ they (Tivs) sneaked into our villages and started shooting and burning houses. Since Thursday there were serial of attacks; for now many were killed.
‘’We sent our youths to go and evacuate the corpses for burial,’’ said he.
Also corroborating,Mr Jacob Tungha said most affected villages are Gidan Adamu and Gankwe, ‘’ they maimed and killed people in Gidan Adamu and Gankwe.
‘’We want the presence of security personnel in our communities, we are peace loving people, but we are now pushed to the world!’’ He exclaimed, adding that property worth millions of naira were also destroyed.
More Security Operatives are deployed- Police
When contacted, police spokesman in the state David Misal said that normalcy has been restored adding that n Security personnel have since taking over the area to calm tension among fleeing residents.
‘’ The state commissioner of police also visited the area to ascertain the situation, and so far four persons were confirmed killed.
‘’Any want found wanting will face the wrath of the law,’’ he threatened.
Despite lockdown being experienced in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Taraba state continued to witnessed ethno-conflicts in the last past two weeks.