The Government Secondary School, Kente and several houses were burnt in fresh attack by militia groups in ongoing clash between Tiv and Jukuns in Wukari local government area of Taraba state.
Daily Trust reporter who visited the area on Sunday saw many buildings still burning while the area has been deserted.
It was gathered that the two ethnic groups involved in the clash have resorted to gorilla war tactics invading each other’s settlement and running into bush.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Wukari local government area in Taraba state, Mr. Daniel Adi, has confirmed that no fewer than 10 people have been killed and several others injured in the ongoing clashes between Jukun and Tiv ethnic group on the fringes of Benue and Taraba states.
In an interview with newsmen in Wukari on Sunday, Adi, who called for calm, further disclosed that about 10 communities have so far been burnt down around Kente ward of the council area.
“As I am talking to you now, several households including Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Kente were burnt down by the attackers in the early hours of today.
He said he made efforts to contact his counterpart, the chairman of Ukum local government in Benue state to appeal to his people to lay down their arms and embrace peace.
He disclosed that the local government was footing the bills of several injured persons currently receiving treatment at the Wukari General Hospital.
Similarly, both Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba and his Benue state counterpart, Samuel Ortom have appealed for calm.
Also reacting over the clash, Chief David Kente, a former APC governorship aspirant in Taraba state who hails from the area has condemned the wanton destruction of lives and property.
He described the crisis as unfortunate adding that the Tivs and Jukuns in Kente have coexisted peacefully for many years after their first clashes in 1991.
He appealed to both the Tivs and Jukuns to embrace peace and sheath their sword promising that all those who lost their properties to current crisis on both sides of the borders of Benue and Taraba would be compensated.
“You see, this achievable because after the 1991 clashes between the two ethnic groups in Kente area, I single-handedly provided succour to all the affected communities by providing roofing sheets, cement and related building materials.
“I also dug boreholes for the affected communities both on the Benue side and Taraba”.
Daily Trust findings revealed that all Tiv communities living around Wukari and Ibbi area have fled to Benue state.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Taraba Police Command, ASP David Misal, confirmed the ongoing clashes.
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