Violence erupted in the Shimankar community, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday, leaving many injured and houses burnt.
The incident, which occurred on Monday morning and lasted several hours, has sent shockwaves through the community, with residents struggling to come to terms with the destruction.
According to eyewitnesses, the violence began as a clash between two groups, with reports suggesting that it was sparked by a disagreement over traditional rites and ritual performance in the community.
The situation was said to have quickly escalated, with homes and businesses being set ablaze.
A resident of the area and former senatorial candidate for Plateau South, Mr Tobias Kwanmen, confirmed the development to PUNCH Metro in Jos on Monday.
Kwanmen said, “The issue started as a little dispute between some traditional worshipers and some Muslims groups in the community. From what I was told, the traditionalists went to perform their normal ritual in a place within the community but they were resisted by some Muslims who did not allow them leading to disagreement and violence.”
However, the extent of the damage is still being assessed, but PUNCH Metro gathered that following the violence, security agents were quickly deployed to the scene, with other stakeholders including councillors working to restore normalcy in the community.
Kwanmen condemned the violence, calling for calm and restraint, saying, “We urge all parties involved to seek peaceful resolution and to work towards maintaining peace and stability in our community.”
As of the time of filing this report, of filing this report, the spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, had yet to respond to inquiries by our correspondent about the development.
However, the spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security task force maintaining peace in Plateau, Major Samson Zhakom, promised to communicate with the relevant authorities on the matter.
