Fresh fighting erupts in Lafia, Nasarawa; 1 feared killed

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.