The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Clash

  • Two die as Fulani, Gwari clash in Abuja

    Two persons have died and about 1,500 others displaced following a violent clash between Fulani and indigenous Gwari in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Twenty-seven communities were affected by the crisis.

    A resettlement camp on the permanent campus of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has been set up to accommodate displaced persons.

    Security has been tightened in the FCT to prevent a spillover of Fulani in the territory.

    A statement by the Head of Public Relations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, said the military has curtailed the clash.

    The statement reads: “With less than 48 hours to another year, a communal clash erupted in Gwako, under Gwagwalada Local Government Area of the Federal Capital Territory this weekend. It drew the attention of NEMA and the Ministry of Capital Territory to jointly activate their search and rescue teams.

    “The prompt intervention of the two agencies, including security personnel from the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military has curtailed the escalation of the crisis, which started on Saturday because of alleged encroachment of herds of cattle into farmlands in the area.

    “The NEMA Director-General, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, hailed the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Muhammad, for the promptness of his agencies and his presence on the scene of the clash. He urged the warring parties to live peacefully with one another and eschew violence as we enter a New Year.

    “Sani-Sidi said two people died and 27 communities were affected. He said over 1,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are squatting in a temporary camp on the permanent campus of the University of Abuja in Gwagwalada.

    “FCT Minister Bala Muhammad led other government agencies to assess the impact of the incident. He urged the communities to remain calm as the government would ensure that the causes of the crisis were addressed so that they could return to their homes.

    “The minister had asked NEMA to provide more amenities to the victims in the camp; he also constituted an emergency team for conflict resolution and relief distribution to the affected communities, with members from response agencies and Urban Affairs Department of FCTA.”

    It was learnt that the Presidency has ordered tight security around the FCT to prevent a spillover of the crisis.

    A top source said: “The government is worried that the FCT might be plunged into the type of conflict being witnessed in Plateau State.

    “The military and the police have been directed not only to restore order but also protect life and property in the area.

    “The Gwagwalada Area Council is a vital gateway to the FCT from the Southern part. To allow the crisis to fester is to create a serious security challenge in the nation’s capital.

    “Already, investigation into the crisis has started. But we won’t take anything for granted.”

  • Suswam, Ugbah ‘clash’ in football match

    Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and his major challenger in the 2011 general elections, Prof. Steve Ugbah, will “confront” each other in a novelty football match to unite the Tiv nation.

    The event is among the activities members of Ate-u-Tiv, a social network for the Tiv ethnic nationality, have scheduled to mark the end of this year.

    The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of Ate-u-Tiv’s End-of-Year Carnival, Mrs. Mngunengen Awunah-Ikyegh, yesterday addressed reporters in Makurdi, the state capital.

    She said: “After social interactions online for so many years, members decided to meet and discuss. In 2011, an Ate end-of-year party was put together. It is upon this initial attempt that our Ate Carnival is built.”

    The committee chairman said this year’s event is tagged: Ate Carnival, with the aim to strengthen, grow and develop the Tiv nation.

    According to her, the carnival “also seeks to create tourism specifics through these annual events …by showcasing our rich and untapped cultural heritage”.

    Mrs. Awunah-Ikyegh said her committee believes the carnival could export the Tiv cultural potential to other parts of the world to gain economic value and a unique identity.

    She stressed that the event, especially the symposium, would enable the people to reflect on the socio-economic needs and the challenges future generations might face in their homeland.

  • Five killed in Nasarawa communal clash

    Five persons were reported killed and 15 houses set ablaze in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State in renewed clashes between Koro and Eggon indigenes.

    Police Commissioner Abayomi Akeremale yesterday confirmed the death toll in Lafia, the state capital.

    He said several houses were destroyed by fire during the hostilities between the two tribes in Gwadanye area of Agyaragu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the clash occurred after an unidentified person allegedly stole a motorcycle from Angwan Yakubu.

    The suspected thief allegedly ran into Gwadanye, inhabited by the Koro.

    The demand by the people of Angwan Yakubu to fish out the alleged culprit resulted in a fracas that led to the death of more than five persons and the burning of more than 15 houses.

    The constituency of the House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Elisha Agwadu was also razed.

    Akeremale said security agencies were on top of the situation, adding that security personnel had been deployed to ensure safety of life and property.

  • 15 injured in Ibadan students’ clash

    A clash between students of the Government College, Ibadan (GCI) and Apata Community Grammar School yesterday disrupted activities at Apata-Ganga in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    About 15 students from both schools were injured in the melee, which lasted for about two hours.

    Twenty vehicles were vandalised.

    It was gathered that the trouble started on Wednesday at a hideout where some students from both schools had gone to gamble, when a student from the Apata Community Grammar School, simply identified as Idan, manipulated the game.

    It was learnt that yesterday, some GCI students, who lost their money to Idan the previous day, stormed the Apata Community Grammar School and started beating the boy.

    Sources said students of the Apata Community Grammar School defended Idan.

    They said the GCI students mobilised themselves after school hours and laid ambush for the students of the Apata Community Grammar School.

    This led to a free-for-all fight in front of GCI’s main gate, in which the students reportedly used stones, broken bottles, clubs and on themselves.

    Sources said the wind screen of about 20 passing vehicles were broken during the clash.

    When The Nation visited the scene at about 3pm, some GCI teachers were dragging some of their students into the school premises.

  • Plateau: Four killed in Berom, Fulani clash

    Plateau: Four killed in Berom, Fulani clash

    Four persons were killed yesterday in three villages in Riyom Local Government area of Plateau State, five days into the latest round of conflict between the Berom and Fulani.

    Several houses were also burnt after gunmen suspected to be Fulani invaded the villages and launched an attack.

    However, Ardo Fulani Bachi, Ardo Muhammad Bello told THE NATION that unknown gunmen attacked and killed one Fulani boy while grazing cows. Six of his cows were also killed, he said.

    Mallam Bello said, “Surprisingly, while we were mourning of our member, security men came to arrest our people. Our major problem is the attitude of the security agencies. We are the ones being attacked but the security men came here and arrested 10 of our boys. They are biased against us”

    Similar confrontation has reduced in Barkin Ladi local government area following the imposition of a curfew.

    Some residents want a similar curfew imposed in Riyom.

    Over 5,000 women and children have fled their homes and are taking refuge in public schools and open markets in Riyom. More than 25 people have been killed since last Tuesday.

    Saturday killings came on the heels of heightening tension in Riyom on Friday when more than 2000 women of Berom extraction took to the streets to protest the killing of a woman by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

    The woman was allegedly waylaid and killed on her way to the farm. Her death was said to be a reprisal for Wednesday’s killing of a Fulani man by suspected Berom youths.

     

  • Four killed in Berom-Fulani clash in Jos

    Four persons were killed yesterday as renewed clash between Fulani and local ethnic group, the Berom, entered the third day in Plateau State.

    It was learnt that the four persons were killed in Riyom and Barkin Ladi in the morning.

    The two warring ethnic groups have been reportedly regrouping since Tuesday morning when three people were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen.

    The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Emmanuel Loman, imposed a 24-hour curfew on the affected community.

    The police deployed their men in the area.

    The clash was said to have begun at dawn, leading to the casualties.

    The member representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi in the House of Representatives, Prince Simon Mwadkwon, accused security agencies of failing to arrest and prosecute suspected perpetrators of the killings.

    Mwadkwon narrowly escaped death in the July attack when Senator Gyang Dantong and House of Assembly member Gyang Fulani died in a stampede, following an attack by gunmen.

    A Fulani cattle breeder in Mahanga village, Riyom Local Government Area, Usman Yakubu said: “The fight began in the morning because some people we don’t know attacked Fulani cattle and shot many cows. About 10 cows were killed.

    “Also in Kakwi village, near Ganwuri in Riyom, Fulani houses were burnt.”

    The Nation learnt that the Division Police Officer (DPO) in Riyom, James Alesoki, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), led a police team to Bangai village to quell the clash.

    The team was reportedly attacked by Fulani, leading to another clash between the police and the Fulani.

    It was learnt that the Fulani abandoned their homes and hid behind rocks from where they shot at the police.

    The police reportedly invited the Special Task Force (STF) on Plateau State Crises, code-named Operation Safe Haven, to deploy its helicopter in the area.

    The use of the helicopter was said to have been hampered by poor visibility after a downpour in the area.

    Yakubu alleged that the place the Fulani used for Sallah prayers (eid) was demolished.

    He said: “…We woke up yesterday morning to discover that, despite the curfew, some people went out at night and destroyed our praying ground. They pulled down the fence.”

    Another Berom resident, Bitrus Dalyop, said: “Some armed Fulani this morning (Thursday) attacked people with knives on the road. Many on foot had to run; people on motorcycles had to abandon them and run. So far, the police have recovered two motorcycles left by their owners to escape being killed by the armed Fulani. You would expect our youths to retaliate the unprovoked attack.”

    Dalyop said: “The home of Mr Garba Makeri was razed by suspected Fulani in Riyom during the attack.”

    The Fulani in Riyom have reportedly complained to security agencies that 39 of their cows were missing during the attack.

    The clash has spread to several villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas, including Jol, Dalyam, Ranchol, Rankung, Gassa, Sho, Ganawuri, Kakwi, Sara, among others.

    Police spokesman Emmanuel Abuh, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said he was not aware of the killings.

    But he said the curfew in the area hads been extended to 24 hours.

  • Clash of interests?

    • The forced resignation of Barth Nnaji could be more of clash of interests than of conflict of interests

    Was

    NNAJI

    the former power minister, forced out of office because of a clash of interests with superior powers, and not the official reason of conflict of interests?

    This question has become imperative, given the claim by an editorial, in the latest issue of The Economist, the London magazine, that Mr. Nnaji lost his job as power minister because he stood against “companies”, in which Vice President Namadi Sambo allegedly had interests.

    The Economist’s claim, verbatim: “Mr. Nnaji also warred with the vice-president, Namadi Sambo, who owns companies with interests in the public power sector, oversees the government’s national privatisation council and heads a programme to build ten new state power stations that Mr. Nnajii hoped to privatise. This may have hastened his departure.”

    Now, these are very grievous charges, if true – and the reasons are self-evident.

    For starters, Vice-President Sambo drives the privatisation programme, as chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP); just as Mr. Nnaji drove the power programme, as power minister. Now, if the minister lacked integrity, at least in the context that he had conflict of interests, since firms in which he had interests were bidding for power plants for which the minister was chief auctioneer, and he had to forfeit his job for that, does the vice-president have more integrity, if his alleged firms were bidding in a process of which he is the overall boss?

    If these allegations are true – and they may well be false – but if they are true, what moral or legal reasons does the vice-president have to stay on in office, and continue supervising a process which, like the fallen minister on a lower scale, he has alleged conflict of interests? If the allegations are true, and the vice-president stays on as the privatisation czar, is the whole privatisation process, on which the Jonathan presidency’s much-vaunted economic reforms is hinged, not doomed to a permanent credibility slur?

    Then the issue of double standards, again if the allegations are true: If a minister was pressured to quit on allegations of conflict of interests, even if he openly declared his interest and pleaded blind trust as legal defence, what happens to the State No. 2, who neither declared his interest nor pleaded any trust, blind or sighted? More fundamentally, in the realm of equity and justice, could the minister – incidentally, the brightest sparkle in a team that is no means stellar – have been ousted not because of any conflict of interests (even if that is bad enough) but because of plain victimisation for allegedly standing in the way of powerful interests bent on corrupting the privatisation process (which is worse)?

    But for all you know, these allegations might be false. Nevertheless, it is shocking that the office of the Vice-President and the NCP which he chairs have not come out to refute these grievous allegations, capable of compromising the whole privatisation process, in the eyes of the neo-liberal crowd that Nigeria’s economic managers, since the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo, have always grandstanded to please.

    But whatever the reaction from the office of the Vice-President and the NCP, the anti-corruption agencies should move in and thoroughly investigate these allegations. They must lay the ghost to rest by establishing the vice-president’s innocence or otherwise. Better still, the vice-president can take the news weekly to court to clear his name.