30 Men, Women and Children Killed As Eggon and Gwandara Ethnic Groups Clash in Nasarawa
THE latest violence between Eggon and Gwandara ethnic nationalities in Nasarawa State, on Saturday, claimed more than 30 lives, among whom were little children, Sunday Tribune gathered.
The violent clash allegedly erupted as a result of trespass by some Eggon youths on a piece of land reportedly belonging to the Gwandara tribe.
Investigations by Sunday Tribune revealed that some Eggon youths, who were challenged on why they trespassed on the piece of land, resorted to violence and unleashed terror on any Gwandara man sighted in the area.
The community head of Igga, Mallam Yusuf Alade, who was reported to have been killed in the incident, was said to have intervened in the matter, harping on the need for amicable resolution. But that was not to be, as the Eggon youths, who were said to have laid siege to the town, started burning houses and killing men and children while reportedly sparing women.
Sunday Tribune learnt that the high number of casualties recorded was as a result of a wedding ceremony said to be ongoing in the town, which was attended by men and children who were ambushed and killed.
One of the survivors, who did not want to be named, said the military men were the first to arrive the area. But it was too late, as the attackers had fled the area before their arrival. The soldiers were also said to have conveyed the wounded to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.
When contacted on phone on Saturday, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ismaila Numan, confirmed the incident, but said only five persons were killed in the crisis. He added that the police had begun investigation into the crisis, noting that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
The violent clash allegedly erupted as a result of trespass by some Eggon youths on a piece of land reportedly belonging to the Gwandara tribe.
Investigations by Sunday Tribune revealed that some Eggon youths, who were challenged on why they trespassed on the piece of land, resorted to violence and unleashed terror on any Gwandara man sighted in the area.
The community head of Igga, Mallam Yusuf Alade, who was reported to have been killed in the incident, was said to have intervened in the matter, harping on the need for amicable resolution. But that was not to be, as the Eggon youths, who were said to have laid siege to the town, started burning houses and killing men and children while reportedly sparing women.
Sunday Tribune learnt that the high number of casualties recorded was as a result of a wedding ceremony said to be ongoing in the town, which was attended by men and children who were ambushed and killed.
One of the survivors, who did not want to be named, said the military men were the first to arrive the area. But it was too late, as the attackers had fled the area before their arrival. The soldiers were also said to have conveyed the wounded to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.
When contacted on phone on Saturday, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ismaila Numan, confirmed the incident, but said only five persons were killed in the crisis. He added that the police had begun investigation into the crisis, noting that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
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