It was, once more, a tale of blood and tears in troubled Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria, as Fulani herdsmen clashed with the native Tarok community in Wadata, a rural settlement in Wase, Local Government Area in the southern part of the state and about 250 kilometres from Jos, the state capital. At least 20 persons were feared killed in the clashes and no less than 20 houses burnt.

Trouble reportedly started in the early hours of yesterday following the discovery of the decomposing corpse of a young man in a bush. Suspecting Fulani herdsmen as being behind the act, the natives launched a reprisal that claimed the lives of at least 18 people.

Yesterday’s outbreak of hostilities ended the fragile peace enjoyed in the area after the lingering crises some nine years ago which prompted former President Olusegun Obasanjo to declare a state of emergency in Plateau State in May 2004. It is a big setback to efforts to sustain the peace, the latest of which was a recent meeting held between the Tarok and the Fulani herdsmen where they agreed to continue to let peace reign.

Elsewhere in the state, two corpses suspected to be those of victims of Fulani herdsmen were discovered at Foron Junction of Hepiang village of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Yet, one more person was killed at Ladura village of Du district, from where Governor Jonah Jang hails. The unfortunate man was said to have been killed while returning from his farm.

Reacting to the tragedies, in particular the Wase clashes, Special Adviser to Governor Jang on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ayuba Pam, said: “Government received the news of the killings with shock, especially coming at a time when efforts are being made to consolidate the peace in the state.

“The killings are of great concern to us and as a government, we condemn them. We believe that the means of settling redress whenever a wrong is noticed is not through attacks and counter- attacks. The people must learn to live in peace and tolerate one another. As a government, we promise to investigate the matter to ensure that no such clashes occur among the people in the future.”

•Photo: Governor Jang.