By Garba Mohammad
The death toll in the continuing violnce in Ibi Southern Taraba state has continued to rise. The Police is reporting that 12 civilians and 2 soldiers were killed in the conflict that pitted the Jukun and Hausa communities in Wukari and Ibi Local Government areas of the state against themselves.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph Kwaji, in a telephone interview on Friday said for now 12 civilians and 2 soldiers were confirmed killed.
Kwaji, giving a breakdown of the casualties, also said that 16 others were injured, 12 houses burnt and a local brothel.
“We have so far compiled a death toll of 14 people, including the 2 soldiers while 16 others were seriously injured,” state police spokesman Joseph Kwaji said Friday.
Local residents told AFP that the death toll could rise.“Twelve houses have also been destroyed in the violence,” Kwaji said of the unrest which has prompted authorities to impose an indefinite all-round curfew in the predominantly Muslim town.
He added that 14 suspects were arrested in the aftermath of the violence.
Ibi Local government chairman Mr Isiyaka Adamu said that extra troops were deployed to the town on Friday to bolster security.
“More troops have been deployed today to Ibi and other neighboring areas to ensure that the situation, which has been brought under control, is strengthened,” he said.
“The state governor has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Ibi which is aimed at restoring normalcy in the town” after the fighting, said Kefas Sule, spokesman for the state Acting governor.
Recently, the Jukuns were pited against the Hausa in Wukari Local Government area where it was reported that over 30 people had been killed.
A very large number of Hausa people have been displaced and have moved either Nasarawa state or Jalingo,the state capital.
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