A communal conflict, on Friday, within the Miga Native Authorities Space Jigawa State has reportedly claimed dozens of lives and left many hospitalised.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos as sudden and overwhelming. “It was like a battle zone. Individuals have been operating in all instructions, screaming and crying. It was a terrifying scene,” mentioned one witness.
Falalu Garba, a resident of Gunka village, urged affected people to stay calm and keep away from taking the regulation into their very own fingers.
Equally, one other eyewitness, Malam Gunka, emphasised the significance of group leaders and stakeholders working collectively to peacefully resolve disputes.
The Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Lawan Adam, confirmed the clashes.
Adam said that a number of fatalities had been recorded, whereas others have been nonetheless receiving therapy in hospitals.
“We’re working to revive calm and order within the affected areas,” Adam said.
The PPRO attributed the violence to a long-standing dispute between two communities, explaining, “Now we have been participating in dialogue and mediation, however sadly, the state of affairs escalated into violence.”
He assured that the police are dedicated to apprehending these accountable and restoring peace.
“We is not going to tolerate any type of violence or lawlessness in our state. We should be taught to stay collectively in concord and respect one another’s variations.
“We urge everybody to cooperate with safety businesses and permit the regulation to take its course. Our ideas and prayers are with the households of the victims,” Adam mentioned.
Adam additionally famous that investigations are ongoing to find out the precise explanation for the clashes, the variety of casualties, and the extent of accidents whereas interesting for calm and collaboration from residents to stop additional escalation.