At least no fewer than 10 people were feared death in Mangu Local Government of Plateau state when a melee ensued between the Mwaghavul speaking native and Fulani herdsmen.
The death of one Mwaghavul person whose body was dumped by suspected Fulani led to a reprisal attack.
The community vigilante after discovery of the death of a mentally retarded Mwaghavul man laying in a pull of blood went in search of the killing squad.
Our correspondent gathered that the Chairman of the group urged his men to go and search the Fulani settlement which they resisted vehemently that nobody will be allow to their residents until an order comes from Police .
The Fulani man went into his hut and brought out a gun and starts shooting sporadically instantly killing two people on the spot and injured many.
In the upheaval Ten Persons were reported killed and 30 houses burnt in Plateau State.
Meanwhile the Chairman Mangu Local Government Council of Plateau State, Hon. Caleb Mutfwang has confirmed the current misunderstanding between Fulani herdsmen and the natives in the area.
The council boss said so far frantic efforts are being made to bring the matter under control, as he added that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the skirmishes.
He said the crisis which engulfed the council area on the since 26th of December last year has also led to the untimely death of over Seven persons and several persons displaced.
Addressing Journalists in Jos, the Plateau state capital the council Chairman regretted the incident, saying that council has a long enduring peaceful coexistence with other ethnic nationalities especially the Fulani, but is suddenly thrown into violence.
He described the current crisis as the hand work of enemies of progress, explaining that, though the council is yet to come out with authentic figure of casualties of the skirmishes, he also express believe that a good number of scores of people might have been killed, even as he said thousands of people are displaced.
He said the crisis rocked some villages in Mangu within the week when the people were almost celebrating a hitch-free festive season and were caught unaware by the crisis leading to the killings of scores of persons and many houses burnt.
The chairman was however accompanied to the briefing by a delegation of traditional rulers, religion and communities leaders including the Ardo of Fulani in Mangu JNI, CAN representatives of Fulani and Mwaghavul youth and Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders of Nigeria MACBAN
According to him, they have resolved that there is need to strengthen security surveillance especially in the affected area in order to encourage the people to return or stay back in their ancestral homes.
He also said that the displace persons especially those who fled their homes for fear of reprisal attacked would be encouraged to go back to their homes while the council has liaised with appropriate State and federal government authority to explore possibility of assisting those displaced and their resident burnt.
According to him, all districts heads have been directed to continue a constant dialogue with different youth groups with a view to mend fences and calm frayed nerves while the district heads of Mangu will meet with village heads and youth representatives from the affected communities to spread the peace progress.
Mutfwang further added that leaders in all communities must adopt proper information management strategies to guard against unnecessary rumour mongers stressing people should be encouraged not to hide or harbour criminals because of religious or ethnic affiliations while visitors to any community must identified with the leadership of such community.
Meanwhile police anti- Bomb defused another IED in Jos in the early hour of 9pm of Friday. It was gathered that as political activities are building up towards the general elections the state is now experiencing upheaval and confusion.
