From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
At least, six people have been confirmed dead and scores injured in renewed crisis in Takum local government area of Taraba State, allegedly between the Kuteb and Hausas in the area.
SP Abdullahi Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer for Taraba State Police Command confirmed this to our Correspondent in a phone interview on Monday.
According to Usman, Six bodies have been recovered and many persons were injured in the crisis that rocked Takum town on Saturday but normalcy has been restored following a twenty-four-hour curfew imposed by the state government.
“As of this morning, I can confirm to you from official records that six bodies have been recovered and several persons are receiving treatment for injuries. So far, the CP has ordered a massive investigation to ascertain the causes of the crisis while efforts are well underway to ensure that calm is sustained.
” The state government has issued a round-the-clock curfew and our men are fully on the ground enforcing it to the letter. For now, we urge everyone to stay calm and to stop peddling rumours that would further escalate the situation. As soon as the investigation is completed and the causes of the crisis established, we would let you know” Usman said.
Our correspondent gathered that trouble started again in Takum town on Sunday when news broke out that some Fulani herdsmen were killed while conveying their cattle to Takum market for sale.
The alleged attack and killing of the five herdsmen was alleged to have been perpetrated by Kuteb people which provoked the Fulani to launch a counter-attack on the Kuteb people within the local government and the Hausa community also allegedly joined in solidarity with the Fulani herdsmen against the Kuteb.
A source reliably told our correspondent that over 20 people were killed in the clash
“Shortly after the news of the attack on the five herdsmen, Hausa traders joined forces with the Fulani to counter-attack the Kuteb which resulted in unaccounted deaths and injuries. What I am very sure is, over 20 people lost their lives in the clash.
“Although, when both communities mobilized to continue the attack and counterattacks, the military and other security agencies arrived and dispelled them but already, an unaccounted number of lives were taken shortly before the security came”.
Daily Sun reports that Takum, Ussa and other parts of Southern Taraba have been under a series of crises with incessant attacks specifically against the Kuteb communities in the area since last year.
Only recently, the Chairman of Takum local government area Mr Boyi Manja was abducted in Takum and stayed in custody of his abductors for several days before he was released eventually.