Adamawa:Chieftaincy tussle claims 10 in Lamurde

From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Kwah community chieftaincy tussle in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa state is feared to have claimed over 10 lives, while several houses were reported to have been razed down by angry youths in the area.
Investigation by Peoples Daily in Yola revealed that problem in the community started when the former traditional village head of the community, Hama Zakka Mah was dethroned by the paramount ruler of Bachama Kingdom, Hama Bachama, His Royal Majesty, Homun Stephen Honest Irmiya over maladministration and criminal utterances.
The appointment of a new village head, Hama Tamuna Nickson was believed to be against the wishes of a ruling clan of Dwenti in Kwah town.
A resident of the area who spoke on the development under condition of anonymity, said the situation took a wild turn when the son of Nickson, the new appointed and yet to be installed village head was stabbed to death as he accosted a youth from the rival ruling clan of Dwenti for taking the matter to court to challenge the unlawful deposition of the embattled traditional ruler of the community.
He said the fight which later ensued between both youths from the opposing camps was followed by reprisal attacks yesterday evening from supporters of Nickson of Nyakwen clan who unleashed mayhem on the rival clan of Dwenti to revenge the death of the son of Nickson.
The source said the aggrieved Nyakwen clan attacked the relatives of the youth from the Dwenti clan, with cutlasses and machetes, setting ablaze their houses.
“When news filtered into town that the son of the newly appointed village head had passed on, all hell was let loose by the relatives of the father of the slain youth, as they started killing any member of Dwenti clan they come across and I accounted 10 dead bodies lying on the ground” he said
He said the dead bodies have been evacuated to the Numan General Hospital. “Our houses, properties have been completely destroyed by these power mongers who in their pretext to kill our people sent a young lad to accost us”, the source added.
Commenting on the issue, Hama Bachama, HRH Stephen Honest Irmiya confirmed the attack, but denied that he was not the one that dethroned Hama Zakka Mah but his predecessor, HRH late HRH Asaph Zadok because of his alleged criminal activities including murdering policemen detailed to his community and many other unlawful activities.
He said as a result of the unlawful antecedents of the embattled traditional ruler, he was forced to appoint a new traditional ruler to run the affairs of the community under his watch.
The royal father lamented that the people fighting each other are from the same tribe and saw no reason why they should fight as they have taken the matter to the court of law, called on them to remain calm, as according to him, his emirate is doing everything possible to solve the problem.
The Adamawa state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Othman Abubakar could not be reached for comment as at press time.