Again, nine killed, houses razed as deadly violence erupts in Plateau

• Many houses and barns were razed while residents, especially women, got displaced during clash, sources familiar with the matter stated

At least nine persons have lost their lives and properties destroyed after a deadly intertribal violence broke out in Plateau state.

The communal clash happened between the Montol and Taroh ethnic groups in the Ponglong community of Mikang local government area of the troubled middle belt State.

The Transition Chairman of the council, Hon. Daniel Kungmi, confirmed the incident.

He disclosed that what started as a face-off between two persons, quickly degenerated into a full blown melee and was hijacked by furious, opportunistic blood baying youths and criminals.

Many houses and barns were razed while residents, especially women, got displaced during clash, sources familiar with the matter stated.

Daily Trust reports that the clash, which started around 6pm on Saturday, was caused by a farmland dispute between members of the two aggrieved ethnic groups.

The chairman disclosed that, though security operatives had been dispatched to the affected community to restore normalcy, criminals used the opportunity to rustle cattle.

The Council chairman further explained that “Within a short while, the situation degenerated leading to burning down of houses and barns. Several criminal elements took advantage of the unfortunate situation and rustled cattle.

“Immediately we got the news of the clash , we called on security operatives who moved swiftly to the affected community to restore law and order. I just returned from the community and the situation is under control, but we can not ascertain the number of persons killed in the clash. I call on the people to be more tolerable and cautious of undesirable elements that might want to take advantage of the unfortunate situation to inflict harm on innocent persons,” the chairman added.