Old woman, others killed in communal clash

A 65-year-old woman and 10 other people were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed during a clash in Plateau State between Irigwe and Rukuba communities of Bassa Local Government.
It was gathered that the attack, which was a renewed hostilities in the area, was as a result of reprisal from Irigwe Community over the killing of an old woman.
The woman is suspected to have been killed by the Rukuba Community, which led to the burning of houses and killing of about 10 persons.

Police spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr. Emmanuel Abuh, confirmed the attack on the telephone, adding that the police promptly responded and brought the crisis under control. According to him, if not for the quick intervention of the police, the clash would have escalated.
Abuh appealed to the Irigwe and Rukuba communities to lay down their arms and embrace peace, irrespective of their differences. He advised the district heads of the affected communities to ensure that peace returns to the area.
Chairman of Irigwe/Rukuba Peace Vanguard, Honourable Kure Abbas Yakwe, confirmed the death of a 65-year-old woman. He said she was killed by suspected gunmen while returning from Rukuba market.
He said peace had been restored in the area and further noted: “We have even organised peace tournament between the fighting communities to engage them on peace and dialogue, so that they will eschew violence and embrace one another.”
Yakwe said that some faceless individual who did not mean well for the community, were conniving with outsiders to wreak havoc in the LG.
He further explained that the reprisal attack led to the loss of lives and burning of e houses between the Bacha youth and the Irigwe native.
The chairman said: “I received calls of fresh attack going on but we are yet to know how many numbers of dead were recorded but there are casualties.
The two communities shared cultural festivals together, and since the crises brokeup on May, 5, 2014, we’ve estimated that many lives were lost but I cannot give the details of people and properties involved with crops worth millions were destroyed.
We called on the people to understand that peace was priceless. Let’s all together embrace peace.
This is paramount in the development of any community.
NEW TELEGRAPH
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