From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia with agency report
At least seven people died in the violence that erupted in Nasarawa state since Sunday, police said.
The Nasarawa state Police Command said 40 people have been arrested in connection to the deadly violence that rocked Lafia, the state capital.
The state Police spokesperson, Ugochukwu Theodore, told Premium Times that seven houses were attacked and burned down.
Fighting broke out in Lafia Monday after Sunday’s invasion, by gunmen, of Alakyo, which is the ancestral home of the spiritual leader of Ombatse militia Lega Agu, also known as Baba Alakyo.
Alakyo is where over 89 Nigerian security operatives were killed last year by the Ombatse militia group.
Mr. Theodore said the 40 people arrested are currently undergoing interrogation at the state criminal Investigation Department, CID.
“40 people were arrested and 7 houses were burnt and seven deaths recorded after the violence that erupted since Sunday”.
He explained that normalcy has returned to the state capital and people are encouraged to go about their normal business.
He added that residents of Tudun Gwandara in Lafia have approached the command, in a bid to hold a peace parley to resolve internal conflict that led to the violence on Monday.
Youth groups clashed in Tudun Gwandara as a revenge over the near invasion of Emir of Lafia, Isah Mustapha Agwai I’s palace by youth suspected to be of Eggon ethnic nationality on Sunday.
The invasion followed the attack on Alakyo village, in which the Ombatse shrine was burnt.
Mr. Theodore said the state Police Command supports the idea of the peace talks and will provide security cover to ensure that the parley hold peacefully.
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