Communal Clash: Plateau councils still tense for emergency agency’s assessment – Official

Several houses were burnt in the communal clash.

The Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has said that the scene of clash between two communities in Pankshin and Kanke local councils in the state is still unsafe for its assessment.

The Secretary of the agency, Alhassan Barde, made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Pankshin on Thursday.

A recent crisis between two communities across the areas led to destruction of houses while scores of people were displaced.

Mr. Barde said that the area was still tensed up and would not be wise or safe for officials of the agency to visit.

“Security reports has it that it is not yet safe for SEMA to pay an assessment visit to the affected communities.

“We intended to go this week, but we have been advised against it so that we do not become victims as well.

“The agency has decided to shift the assessment visit to the affected areas to next week, with the hope that before then, nerves must have calmed down,” he said.

Mr. Barde said the crisis was a “very sad and unfortunate“ incident that should not have happened at all, given the long standing relationship between the communities.

He said that the agency met the state legislator representing Kanke, Timothy Golu, and Pankshin South, Istifanus Mwansat, on “how the situation is and how we can come in “.

The secretary expressed the hope that the stakeholders in the areas and the aggrieved communities would meet to resolve issues to make the place safe for the visit.

“We know that the affected persons, especially the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will be in dire need of assistance from the government, individuals and organisations.

“Unfortunately, nobody can go there to do anything if peace has not returned to the affected communities,” he said.

The Chairman of Pankshin council, Samuel Goar, said that efforts were being made to restore peace in the communities and provide assistance to victims.

(NAN)