10 People Killed, Many Injured, Houses Burnt Over Kingship Crisis In Taraba

At least 10 people have been reported dead in a violent clash between two tribes over a kingship crisis in Karimlamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to SaharaReporters, the dispute arose over an alleged imposition of a Wurkum tribesman as “Garkuwan Karim” (the Second Class king of Karim) on the Karimjo-speaking people of Karimlamido.

It was gathered that the violence began around 7pm when Wurkum youths clashed with Karimjo youths after the new king returned from Jalingo, the state capital.

A resident told the publication that Nigerian soldiers had provided cover to Wurkum vigilantes to kill and maim the rival Karimjo youths.

Some vigilante guys fired life ammunition at Karimjo protesters at a neighborhood called Step-two, killing three young men instantly.

“In retaliation, angry Karimjo youths advanced into Wurkum villages of Balasa and Gamji and burnt down some houses.

“Surprisingly troops of the Nigerian army drafted to maintain peace, appeared to have taken sides, because this morning they aided Wurkum fighters to kill seven Karimjo youths. Right now there are ten corpses on ground.

“They killed the Karimjo traditional Lahwah worship chief priest and decapitated his head,” the resident said.

The military spokesperson for Taraba command, Lieutenant O’oni, denied taking sides, insisting that their duty was to maintain peace.

“The Nigerian military is not a tribal institution, there’s no way we can take sides as claimed; our duty there is to maintain peace,” O’oni said.

KanyiDaily had also reported how the Nigerian Army killed at least two police officers during a confrontation at the police headquarters in Taraba State.