By: Kekeli K. Blamey
One person has been killed and others injured with several houses burnt at Naniik and Binbagu communities in the Bunkpurugu/Nakpanduri District in the North East Region over a reported chieftaincy dispute.
Channel One News sources in the two communities indicate that residents fled in haste, leaving what could not be carried.
The General Manager of Pib-ri FM, a community radio station in Binde-Bunkpurugu, Sunday Batowani, told Channel One News that the violence broke out after the Youth Chief of Nanik was shot while in the company of one Elijah.
Mr. Batowani said Elijah died on the spot and the body briefly preserved at the Binde hospital morgue. He added that there was a second attack on Monday, September 23 when preparations were underway to lay Elijah to rest.
The second attack is said to have angered the Naniik community, resulting in a reprisal attack that forced residents to flee both communities.
According to the Pib-ri FM’s general manager, there has been a 5:30am to 6pm curfew imposed in the area by local authorities to help calm the situation while awaiting a national intervention.
He added that three people are currently receiving treatment at the hospital with others who also sustained snake bites while fleeing the violence on Monday night.
Efforts are being made to get information from the District Security Council on the measures taken in attempts to restore peace and calm.
