5 killed, 300 houses burnt in Taraba crisis

No fewer than five people were killed and about 300 houses set ablaze yesterday in early morning religious crisis that engulfed Wukari, headquarters of Wukari Local Government in Taraba State. A House of Assembly member representing Wukari II State Constituency in Taraba State, Ishaya Gani, who confirmed the incident to Sunday Sun in Jalingo, said a mere argument between two football enthusiasts snowballed into a bloody battle with deep religious sentiment.

“It was an argument between two football fans coming back from morning training, but one of them brought out a pistol and killed his friend,” he said. Angered by the killing of one of their colleagues, youths in the area mobilised and killed the assailant in what residents described as mob action. Hell was let loose as members of the community engaged in bloodbath along religious lines, burning houses and killing one another.

The burnt 300 houses and other properties belonged to both Christians and Muslims in the community. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Taraba State Police Command, Mr. Amos Alaoye, said security men have been drafted to Wukari to control the situation. He also said the state police command was yet to be briefed on the number of casualties.