By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
Several houses have been razed, barns of crops destroyed as well as cattle rustled after a violent clash between irate youths erupted in Ponglong area of Lalin District of Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The clash said to be between ‘Motola Youths and Taroh youths erupted on Saturday night in Mikang Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent gathered that some persons were killed, while the numbers of those who sustained various degrees of injuries are also reported to be high.
Some residents added that over six persons lost their lives in the clash
The Transition Chairman of the Council, Hon. Daniel Kungmi, who spoke to our correspondent, said the clash which occurred 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 as well as other valuables”, he said.
He added that “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 affected community and the situation is under control, but for now, we cannot ascertain the number of persons killed in the clash.
“I am also in touch with the Transition Committee Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Area, Hon. Nanmwa Kumzhi and we would be holding a critical stakeholders meeting soon as this clash is between brothers”, he added.
Hon. Daniel Kungmi urged residents of the area to be calm.
“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”, he warned.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state is expected to visit the affected community on Sunday.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred hasn’t responded to inquiry by our correspondent when contacted on the incident.
