Adamawa: Scores Feared Killed, 5 Villages Burnt In Communal Clash

BY AUSTIN AJAYI, YOLA – Scores of people were feared killed today just as five villages were destroyed after a violent clash between two tribes living in Lafiya, Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa state.

The clash was between the Lunguda ethnic group and the Waja settlers in the town.

According to reports, both groups engaged each other in a violent clash that lasted through to the early hours of today, Wednesday.

It was reliably gathered that the five villages destroyed are Momsurmi, Boshikiri, Zakawon and Burti.

Domestic animals and foodstuffs were also not spared in the mayhem that lasted several hours before a deployment of the military brought the situation under control.

An eye-witness told our correspondent that the conflict was sparked by a dispute over farmland ownership between the two tribes.

Adamawa state deputy governor, Chief Seth Crowder, in company of the Brigade Commander of the 23 Brigade Yola, Brigadier General Sani Gambo Mohammed, visited the scene, in the early hours of Wednesday for on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

The deputy governor assured the people that government would investigate and bring to book perpetrators of the violence.

However, he warned against further escalation of the violence, stressing that the military is on ground and have been given order to deal with trouble makers.

Last month, no fewer than 48 lives were lost in a similar communal clash in Tingno in the same Lamurde LGA.