BLOODSHED IN NASARAWA AS 30 PEOPLE ARE FEARED DEAD

WHEN WILL BLOODSHED CEASE IN OUR LAND? This is the big question as blood flowed freely in Nasarawa State, North Central, Nigeria.

No fewer than 30 persons were feared killed in a renewed skirmish between Eggon and Alago ethnic groups in Obi, headquarters of Obi local government of Nasarawa State on Saturday.

It was gathered that a number of villages had been razed and the government had to deploy troops to the area when the police could not contain the situation.Tension had gripped the communities in Obi LGA and many residents were said to have deserted their homes for fear of being killed.Some women and children were seen with their bags and farm produce on their heads as they fled their communities to escape being attacked by the outlawed Ombatse militia group.

The clash between the two ethnic groups was said to have been caused by the detention  of some  Eggon youths by security personnel with the collaboration of some Alago youths. The Eggon youths were on their way to Awe Local Government Area of the state on an unknown mission when they were detained.

An Eggon man was said to have been attacked in Obi town and severely beaten by some Alago youths, a development which sparked off a reprisal attack by Eggon youths, who destroyed Odobu, an Alago settlement.

Meanwhile, Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Daminishi Luka has summoned a security meeting involving the military,  the State Security Service and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps to brainstorm on the crisis.

The state Commissioner of Police, Umar  Shehu, could not be reached for comment as he did not respond to calls to his phone.

Credits: Punch