•Herders kill Christian preacher in Nasarawa
• Benue gov urges Tiv to work for peace, unity
Unascertained number of persons has been feared killed, over 15 homes razed, barns destroyed and cattle rustled, as rival youth groups clashed in the Ponglong area of Mikang Local Council of Plateau State.
The clash, said to be between Motola and Taroh youths, erupted on Saturday night in Mikang.
Transition chairman of the council, Daniel Kungmi, told journalists, yesterday, that the clash, which started with a quarrel between two persons, was later hijacked by irate youths and criminals.
He said: “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 and stole other valuables.
“Immediately we got the news of the clash, we reported the incident to 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 for now, we cannot ascertain the number of persons killed in the clash.”
He called on the people to be more tolerant and cautious of undesirable elements that might want to take advantage of the unfortunate situation to inflict harm on innocent persons.
Spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached for comments at press time.
A christian preacher, Kingsley Iyochasu, was on Saturday night murdered by suspected killer herdsmen after a crusade in Adu village, Keana Local Council of Nasarawa State.
According to a survivor of the attack, who would not want his name in print, the 31-year-old Tiv and four of his fellow Christian evangelists visited Adu village for their routine outreach on Saturday evening; while the crusade lasted, news of imminent attack by Fulani militia soon spread, leading to an abrupt termination of the crusade.
“When we heard the rumour of the planned attack on the community, we ended the crusade and decided to return to Lafia. While on our way on motorcycles, we were ambushed along the road by some armed Fulani young men. To escape, the motorcycle carrying my friend, Kingsley, fell and before he could run, he was cut in the head. The motorcycle rider escaped with machete wounds.
“They made an attempt to kill me, but the knife only cut my bag at my back. I sustained a minor injury and so were others,” he said.
The survivor said that Kingsley later died at the Specialist Hospital (DASH) and his body deposited at the mortuary.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has charged Tiv people to continue to work for the advancement of peace and unity in all situations.
The governor made the call on Saturday in Obi Local Council during the 2024 Tiv Day and N500 million Appeal Fund for Tiv Hall project of the Nasarawa State Tiv Development Association (TIDA).
Alia, who was represented at the event by Dr Emmanuel Atser, said the Tiv must remain a united family to ensure peaceful coexistence wherever they reside.
