In a tragic turn of events, a land dispute in Lalin district of Mikang Local Government Area (LGA) in Plateau State has resulted in multiple casualties and widespread property destruction.
Confirming the distressing incident, Daniel Kunmi, the Chairperson of the Mikang LGA transition committee, addressed the media on Sunday. According to Kunmi, the violence erupted late Saturday and persisted until Sunday morning before security forces managed to restore order.
Kunmi described the escalation of the situation, stating, “Within a short time, the situation degenerated, leading to the burning down of houses and barns. Several criminal elements took advantage of the unfortunate incident and rustled cattle as well as other valuables.”
He further added, “I just returned from the affected community and the situation is under control, but for now, we cannot ascertain the number of persons killed in the clash.”
Highlighting the collaborative effort to address the crisis, Kunmi mentioned ongoing coordination with the Langtang North Local Government Council Transition Chairman, Hon Nanmwa Kumzhi. Together, they plan to convene a critical stakeholder meeting to address the implications of the clash, particularly for the residents of both LGAs.
Musa Ashoms, the State’s Commissioner for Information, shed light on the root cause of the conflict, attributing it to a land dispute. He emphasized that proactive measures could have prevented or mitigated the situation, noting that the contested land was of minimal agricultural value, producing barely six bags of rice.
The incident underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to address underlying grievances and prevent further escalation of violence in the region. Authorities are urged to swiftly intervene and facilitate dialogue to achieve lasting peace and stability.