Scores injured, houses burnt in Plateau communal clash

Several people sustained injuries, while 16 houses were torched during following a communal clash between Kadun and Dawaki communities of Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The clash, which occurred on Tuesday over land dispute, also claimed many domestic animals, farm produce and economic trees.

Paul Ngokum, a resident, said the crisis erupted over a piece of land, which both communities claim ownership.

Mr. Ngokum also said Dawaki residents prevented Kadun people from holding an annual cultural ritual on the said land last Thursday, but Kadun people insisted on holding the event at the point.

Abuh Emmanuel, the spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, confirmed the incident, saying the situation had been brought under control by the police.

“There were skirmishes in some parts of Kanke Local Government Area. People sustained injuries, but the situation has been brought under control,” Mr. Emmanuel, a deputy superintendent of police, said.

He however declined comments on the alleged redeployment of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from Kanke to the headquarters in Jos over threats to his life.

Residents of Kanke told PREMIUM TIMES that the DPO received threats from one of the warring communities after allegedly taking side in the crisis.