by Tolu Orekoya

On Friday and Saturday, violence flared in Assakio, a community in the Lafia East development area of Nasarawa state. The fighting started on Friday and 20 people have been recorded dead as a result, another 50 injured, and 6,000 have been sent fleeing from their homes.

Nassarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura imposed a curfew on the community to cool tensions between the warring Alago and Eggon ethnic groups. The governor visited the area with the state commissioner of police, Mr Abayomi Akeremale, after which he imposed a a 6pm to 6am curfew.

The Red Cross condemned the violence, blaming the violence on the lack of security, as this is not the first flare up.

During his visit, Al-Makura, asked for patience from the area residents, and informing them that there would be government aid to those affected by the clash.

According to Leadership, the communities turned against each other as the Eggon group felt they were under duress to pay taxes to the Alago community.

Source: CTV.ca, Leadership NG