A fierce clash over a land dispute between the Gbagyi and Bassa ethnic groups in Kudu village, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has resulted in seven fatalities and numerous injuries.
The conflict erupted when members of the Bassa ethnic group allegedly invaded a community where the Gbagyi people had established their farming activities. A resident, speaking anonymously in Lafia on Tuesday, revealed that aside from the casualties, many houses and valuable farm produce worth millions of naira were destroyed during the clash. The resident expressed concern over escalating attacks, calling for urgent intervention in the troubled Kudu community.
In response to the crisis, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule addressed the issue during an emergency executive council meeting held at the Government House, Lafia, on Monday. Governor Sule, while acknowledging that the matter was not initially on the meeting’s agenda, emphasized the urgency of discussing it due to the loss of lives in the Local Government Area.
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Governor Sule outlined government strategies to tackle insecurity in the region and announced plans to convene a meeting involving the Gbagyi, Egbirra, and Bassa communities. The aim of the meeting is to address existing distrust and perceived acrimony among the communities.
“The security agencies have already moved in there, and we will be able to get to the bottom of it. But most importantly, the moment we return from Abuja, we are going to have a meeting of the Gbagyi, the Egbirra, and Bassa communities so that at the end of the day, we have to bring this to an end. It cannot go on in this unfortunate circle,” stated Governor Sule.
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As of the report’s filing, attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls. The situation underscores the pressing need for coordinated efforts to quell the violence and foster lasting peace in the region.