A clash between rival youths in Plateau State’s Mikang Local Government Area reportedly resulted in several deaths and the burning of houses.
It was learned that many people were also hurt during the altercation said to have started on Saturday night between Taroh and Motola teenagers in the vicinity and lasted till the early hours of Sunday.
The Plateau state commissioner for information, Musa Ashoms, confirmed the report to newsmen in Jos on Sunday.
The Plateau commissioner, who blamed the ugly situation on disputed land in the area, said, “I have just called the Mikang Local Government Chairman over the issue, who told me that it is something that could have been avoided and not allowed to escalate to the point that people lost their lives; and at the moment, there are persons receiving treatment at the hospital.
“It started as a result of a land dispute. According to the LG chairman, the land in question cannot even produce six bags of rice, and you know when people are attached to their land, they can go the extra mile, it is something they could have controlled their nerves, but somehow, it got to a point where others too joined them, houses were burned down, and people were maimed.
“But as it is, the affected areas have gotten relative peace because the Divisional Police Officers in Mikang, Lantang North, and LGAs have come together to address the problem.
“So, the LG chairman has been on the matter since 8 a.m. today (Sunday) to pacify the people and to make them see the need to embrace peace.”
