The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jukun clash

  • Buhari condemns Tiv, Jukun clash

    •Directs security agencies to fish out perpetrators, financiers, sponsors

    President Muhammadu Buhari has strongly condemned the inter-communal violence between Tiv and Jukun communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The clash has left dozens injured and several houses destroyed. President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed deepest sympathies and condolences to the people and the government of Benue State over the losses recorded.

    He wished the injured speedy recovery. The President reaffirmed that his government will not allow any group to incite hatred and violence against others, even as he commended the army, police and other security agencies for promptly bringing the violence to a quick end. President Buhari charged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of violence and charge them to court without delay.

  • Ortom to security agents: Fish out brains behind Tiv, Jukun clash

    Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday asked security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of  the Thursday mayhem between Tiv and Jukun at  Abinsi, Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, in which several houses were burned during a communal clash.

    Locked in the clash in the fishing community were Tiv and Jukun.

    Ortom on a visit to the town yesterday said he was pained that the violence came just a few days after he and his Taraba State counterpart, Mr. Darius Ishaku, agreed on behalf of the people of the two states to live harmoniously.

    He described the violence as a blatant disrespect to the government and traditional institution in the state, pointing out that those who burnt houses must also be apprehended and punished to serve as a warning to others.

    The governor said that residents of Abinsi must live together peacefully irrespective of ethnicity, stressing that the area would not be allowed to harbour criminals.

    He charged the traditional rulers in the area to identify the perpetrators and hand them over to security agents for prosecution, adding that any traditional ruler found culpable would be dethroned.

    The Governor promised to constitute a committee that would investigate the root cause of the crisis for immediate government action.

    Read also: Many homes razed as Tiv, Jukun clash in Benue

    He commended the Police Commissioner in the state, Commanders and men of Operation Whirl Stroke and Python Dance for their swift intervention which he noted prevented the crisis from spreading, even as he solicited for calm among residents.

    District Head of Abinsi, Chief Christopher Bake had explained that the crisis started between two unidentified young men which later snowballed into burning of houses.

  • Many homes razed as Tiv, Jukun clash in Benue

    Many homes were razed yesterday at Abinsi town in Benue State, following a clash between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic nationalities.

    This happened about 12 hours after Benue Governor Samuel Ortom and his Taraba State counterpart, Dairus Ishaku, launched a book in Wukari, Taraba State, for the promotion of peace among residents of both states.

    Abinsi is on the busy Makurdi-Gboko Federal highway, near the bank of River Benue in Guma Local Government Area.

    An eyewitness, Peter Uke, told The Nation that 15 houses belonging to both sides had been razed.

    Uke said the violence started among suspected cult groups but later turned to an ethnic clash between both ethnic groups.

    Ortom and Ishaku, on Wednesday, launched a book at the Federal University of Wukari in Taraba State to promote peace between residents of both states.

    But the bloody crisis at Abinsi raised the question whether the two ethic groups are ready for peace.

    The clash caused a traffic gridlock on the busy Makurdi Federal highway.

    Passengers on the route lined up on the roads to wait for the police.

    Police Commissioner Omololu Bishi, who is barely two weeks in the state, was said to be mobilising his men to bring the situation under control.

    The crisis reportedly started at 6.30 p.m.

  • Breaking: 15 houses burnt as Tiv, Jukun clash in Makurdi

    Several houses have been burnt in Abinsi town Benue State following a clash between Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups.

    The clash is coming less than 12 hours after Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and his Taraba counterpart, Dairus Ishaku promoted peace through a book launch in Wukari, Taraba state.

    Abinsi town is located on the busy Makurdi – Gboko federal highway, near the bank of River Benue in Guma local government area.

    Read also: Eight die in two Ondo auto crashes

    The clash, it was learnt, started around 6:30pm. But there was no confirmation of death or casualties as at the time of filing this report.

    An eyewitness Peter Uke told The Nation about 15 houses belonging to Tiv and Jukuns have been razed down.

    Uke said the violence started among suspected cults groups but later turned to an ethnic clash between Jukun and Tiv people.

    Ortom and Ishaku on Wednesday launch a book at Federal University of Wukari, in Taraba state to promote peace between Tiv and Jukun.

    But the latest clash has fuelled suspicions the two ethnic nationalities might not be ready for peaceful co-existence.

    There was traffic gridlock on the busy Makurdi – Federal Highway as passengers traveling along put up for police arrival.

    Our correspondent gathered the new Commissioner of Police Omololu Bishi, who is barely two weeks in the state, has been mobilising his men to bring the situation under control.

    Details shortly…