39 killed in Taraba clash

At least 39 people have been killed in Taraba State as clashes broke out between Christians and Muslims at a funeral in Wukari town.

The violence broke out as a funeral procession held by Christians for a traditional leader passed through a Muslim area of the town on Friday.

A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on the town by the police.

Tensions have been high in Wukari since February, when a row over a football dispute set off sectarian rioting.

As the mourners passed through a Muslim area of the town, they allegedly chanted slogans which angered the residents there, according to the Agence France Presse.

An aid worker told the AFP that 20 bodies had been collected so far.

“We are still going round the town in search of more bodies,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph Kwaji, said the situation was now under control and police were “awaiting a comprehensive report,” adding that another 30 people had been seriously injured.

Reports traced the root of the crisis in the town between the Jukun ethnic group and the Hausa/Fulani group to the tussle over who the original inhabitants of the town are, and ownership of land.

The violence came a day after a panel was set up to investigate clashes in February in which several people died.

That violence was sparked by a row over which ethnic group was entitled to play on a football pitch in the town

PUNCH