Last week’s devastating violence that led to destruction of life and property in Karim-Lamido Council of Taraba State has left over 300 persons homeless.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, Shehu Vocks, who, yesterday, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Jalingo, said those mostly affected are “women and children.”
While seeking government intervention, Vocks noted that those displaced are presently taking refuge in public schools spread across nearby Lau Council. He said that displaced persons, who are in dire need of shelter and food, have also occupied the premises of the traditional ruler of Wurukun.
Last week, KarimJo and Wurukun ethnic groups, who have been living peacefully with each other, decided to throw caution to the wind as a result of the coronation of a second-class chief.
The skirmishes, which forced people to take up arms against themselves, did not only lead to deaths of scores of persons, or destruction of property, but also forced a lot of persons out of the council.
The chairman, who said normalcy is returning to the affected community, beckoned on the state and the Federal Government, as well as individuals and organisations, to intervene and assist displaced persons with relief materials.
Disclosing measures put in place by the state governor, Darius Ishaku, to stop the crisis from spilling to nearby communities, the chairman, who confirmed that only four casualties was recorded, said plans to reconcile the warring communities have been concluded.
Though respondents, who spoke with The Guardian, claimed over 13 bodies have been recovered from scene of the incident, it was observed that there were conflicting reports on the number of casualties between the police and the council boss.
While Vocks announced four casualties, the police, on their part, claimed only two were recorded. Apart from the aforementioned communities, palpable tension, as observed by The Guardian, has, as well, enveloped several other communities in the state, following the creation of chiefdom and presentation of staff of office to some traditional ruler by the governor, who is at the verge of leaving office.
