Apart from the deaths recorded, more than 80 houses were reportedly set ablaze, while many persons were injured in the onslaught against Kegbara Community.
Armed men suspected to be members of neighbouring B-Dere community allegedly attacked the neighbouring community to revenge an attack by youths from Kegbara Dere, a community also known as K-Dere.
B-Dere community was attacked on October 20, 2010 by youths from K-Dere after an argument over a European football match.
While one person was shot dead, over 60 houses were destroyed in the crisis that also saw the displacement of over 500 persons from their homes.
The latest crisis in the area started when some youths from B-Dere pursued members of K-Dere community from their farms and set their houses.
THE PUNCH gathered that the incident, which began on Monday afternoon, had rendered many people homeless as some members of K-Dere community took to their heels on sighting the advancing youths.
The Coordinator of the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, Mr. Patrick Naagbanton, said the number of people killed so far had risen from five to 15.
Naagbanton warned that if the state and local governments failed to take the right step to stop such mindless attacks, the crisis between the two communities might continue.
He added that security agencies must take the right step to put an end to the rivalry between K-Dere and B-Dere in order to save lives and property in the two communities.
According to him, “Guns are still booming, even as 15 persons have already been killed. Unless appropriate agencies do something about this ugly development, this will not be the end. K-Dere people will also want to go on a reprisal attack.”
Contacted, the Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Command, Dr. Rita Inoma-Abbey, said she got a text message from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the affected area, which confirmed the renewed communal crisis between the two communities.
Meanwhile, three persons were feared dead on Monday in a fresh attack by suspected Fulani cattle rearers in Gonghwong area of Vwang District, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attackers were also alleged to have injured two other persons and made away with over 100 cows belonging to the native Berom.
But confirming the latest skirmish, the spokesman of the Special Task Force, Capt. Charles Ekeocha, said only one man was killed.
According to Ekeocha, “Yesterday (Monday) at about 8.30pm, there was an attack on Gonghwong Village in K/Vom, Jos South Local Government by suspected Fulani assailants. In the attack, two locals were shot but were rushed to the hospital by policemen on patrol.
“Our own troops deployed in K/Vom arrived the scene and combed the area. At about a distant of three kilometres from the village, the unidentified corpse of a man was found lying by a bicycle beside the road. At the same point, a Toyota bus with plate number XE 233 BUU was found being driven by Mr. James Adamu.
“It was carrying 19 youths from Dahwolbok village also in K/Vom and were apprehended with two locally made revolvers, two swords, two machetes, one dagger, four metal rods, six wooden clubs and two catapults. “Other items found on the suspects included eleven handsets, whistles, four sachets of peak milk and some cash of N3, 000.00 etc.”
The STF spokesman said the suspects and other exhibits had been handed over to the police for further investigation, adding that the soldiers that arrested the 19 suspects were from the Vom unit. He also said the military squad was not aware of any case of cattle rustling.
In another development, a fresh crisis is brewing in Langtang following the rejection of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Domkat Bali, as the Ponzhi Taroh (the paramount ruler of the Taroh nation).
The pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Solomon Lar, and his kinsmen, who rejected Bali’s nomination, described it as ‘a ruse and affront on the people of Tarohland.’
Lar, who spoke at a retirement party for the Chairman of the Langtang Regional Church Council of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev. Felix Lar, in Langtang accused Governor Jonah Jang of attempting to divide his people by creating an artificial problem with the selection of a new monarch.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
Lady Calls Out JAMB After Mysterious Overnight Change in Brother’s UTME Result
Ex-AUN Provost, Professor Yusuf Attahir Baba Loses Three Children in Devastating Car Crash
Football Star, Lionel Messi-Marriage Rumours Stir Online Frenzy As Divorce Speculations Grow
El-Rufai & Peter Obi Meet at Cambridge Conference, Sparking Political Speculation Ahead Of 2027 Elections
"How My Mother’s Lover Rap3d Me" — 12 Year Old Victim Narrates Ordeal