Victims of the weekend clash between Eggon farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Lafia East Development Area have fled in large numbers to Lafia, the capital of Nassarawa state.
The clash left two dead and several persons displaced, especially women and children. The internally displaced persons (IDP) especially of the Eggon nationality who fled from a village called “Legaopi” in fear of reprisal attack by the Fulani, were seen in trucks and motorcycles with their luggage as early as 6:30am moving from Assakio to Lafia town, Nasarawa Eggon and Doma towns respectively in order to take refuge with relations and friends.
Peoples Daily, in an interview with one fleeing woman with four little children, looking pitifully, said under anonymity that, “we are running for our dear lives in fear of being attacked by Fulanis, but our husbands are at home protecting their territory”.
It was also gathered reliably from sources that the Fulanis are also running away from their homes to take refuge in Agwan Atashi and Obi towns in order not to be attacked by the Eggons.
Confirming the development, police spokesman ASP Ismaila Numa, told Peoples Daily, that the situation is under control as security had been deployed to the affected areas to curtail further escalation.
He also said the number of causalities is uncertain but only two persons were reported dead.
Meanwhile, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment Hon. Adamu Mu’azu has called on the warring partiess to bury their differences and live in peace with one another for the rapid development of the state.
