Scores feared dead, many injured in fresh Jukun, Tiv clash

• Minister, stakeholders meet on farmers, herdsmen conflict

Any people were feared dead and several others injured yesterday after a clash between Jukun and Tiv communities at Angbaaye, a suburb along Makurdi-Gboko road in Benue State.

According to sources, the clash was caused by disagreement over a piece of farmland. But it degenerated into an ethnic crisis as both the Tiv and Jukun later attacked each other with dangerous weapons.

Many inhabitants of the warring communities, which is located near the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base have fleed their homes for fear of further attacks.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident said mobile policemen had been deployed to the scene and normalcy has return to the area.

Meanwhile, Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, (rtd) yesterday convened a one-day strategic stakeholders meeting on the herdsmen, farmers clashes in the country.

The meeting was to discuss means of ending the recurring conflicts.

While addressing the gathering, Dambazau said: “Following the preceding issues and analysis, we hope that this meeting will outline strategies for solving the current conflict that threatens the fabric of our country’s unity and progress.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary in the interior ministry, Bassey Akpanyung, said: “We lost too many lives as a nation. We need to as a group, find lasting solutions to this problem.”