About 17 persons have been reportedly killed in separate attacks on communities in Takum and Ussa LGAs of Taraba state by suspected militias.
The attacks which occurred between Sunday and Tuesday, also saw the burning of the palace, cars of a traditional ruler by angry youths.
The latest attacks were a resumption of protracted ethnic feud between two tribes in the area that have led to wanton loss of lives and properties.
A resident, KM Kasman, who spoke to newsmen, said the attacks happened after a peace deal had been reached by the feuding parties.
According to him, six persons were attacked and killed on
Sunday night while eight persons others, seven herbalists returning home from a meeting were ambushed and killed by the militias in another attack.
In his words, “Six people were killed but the elders pleaded that nobody should retaliate. On Sunday night, on the same spot, eight persons were killed. Seven of those killed along Kwesati road were herbalists who went for a meeting and were returning home.
“Just after that, in a farm settlement called Fikyu, three people were found dead with matchet cuts all over their bodies.
“The youths then mobilised to the traditional ruler of the area to complain about what happened and the need to retaliate. They demanded to know why he was stopping them from retaliation and what he knew about all the attacks.
” There was a disagreement leading to the burning down of the palace and properties of the traditional ruler.
“The youth believed there was a conspiracy between the traditional ruler (Kwe Ando of Lisam chiefdom) and the attackers.
“Yesterday around 6:30 in the evening, the attackers made an attempt on Achanyim in Takum LGA, but they were repelled by the vigilant youths.
“So far there is calm but a review of the peace pact between the tribes would be carried out today,” Kasman stated.
