Fresh violence erupted in Lafia, the Nasarawa
state capital on Monday, with youth chasing
away Eggon residents from the state capital
and burning their properties.
At least one person was reportedly killed.
The crisis has shut the city down, and
grounded economic activities as shops have
been closed while their owners flee.
Lafia has been deserted with only few people
plying the roads and government offices half
closed, a PREMIUM TIMES reporter in the
town, says.
Gunmen had on Sunday morning attacked
Alakyo village, which is the ancestral home of
the spiritual leader of Ombatse militia, Lega
Agu, also known as Baba Alakyo.
The attackers chased the residents of the
community away and burned the Ombatse
shrine.
Alakyo is the village were over 89 Nigerian
security operatives were killed last year by
the Ombatse militia group.
In Lafia, mob sacked Tudun Gwandara, a
popular Eggon community in Lafia, and set
fire on the house of the president of the
Eggon Youth Movement, EYM, Daniel
Anyabuga and other few.
Mr. Anyabuga told PREMIUM TIMES he had
informed security agencies of the
development.
Women and children of Eggon extraction were
seen in droves moving out of the town and
boarding vehicles to Nasarawa Eggon and
Akwanga local government area, between 30
to 60 kilometres away from Lafia.
A resident said a commercial motorcyclist was
set alight in the B.A.D Motor Park.
Abubakar Lawal said the victim was on his
way to an Eggon settlement when youth
hacked him to death and burnt him with his
motorcycle.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the youth were
on revenge mission over the near invasion of
the palace of the Emir of Lafia, Isah Mustapha
Agwai I, by youth suspected to be Eggon on
Sunday. That incident led to the death of two
people.
Government sources said the government was
contemplating imposing curfew on the town.
The governor, Tanko Al Makura, summoned a
security meeting where the decision may be
taken.
The state governor Umaru Tanko Almakura
who visited the Emir Monday afternoon after
the fresh violence erupted, appealed to the
emirate to call the youth to order as
government has provided enough security to
protect lives and property of the citizenry.
Mr. Almakura also visited Shabu area where
the Head of Service, Dominic Bako, was shot
in the arm on Sunday when he ran into
protesting youths and assured them that
government is on top of the situation.
The state Police Public Relations officer, PPRO,
DSP Ugochukwu Theodore said that the police
command has beefed up security in all flash
points urging law abiding citizens to go about
their lawful duties.
- PT.
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