A military Special Task Force (STF), the Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday averted a bloody clash in two communities in Plateau State.

Trouble started when some indigenes of Afizere of the state removed a signboard mounted by the Anaguta tribe, which showed that the community now has its paramount ruler.

The Afizere people, who felt aggrieved by their rising profile in government protested against it, leading to the tensed moment that followed. According to the Anaguta community, the lofty positions occupied by Afizere community had influenced them to take the decision, which was calculated to annex their land.

They further alleged that the state government marginalised the Anaguta people, while favoring their rival with juicy positions. According to them, the Chairman, Management Committee of Jos North Local Council, Mrs. Theresa Azi, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Peter Azi, the Chief Whip of the assembly, Joshua Madaki and the Head of Service, Mr. Izam Atang are all from Afizere.

In an interview, the former Financial Secretary of Angwan Rukuba Youth Forum, Danjuma Madaki Agadah, confirmed that the signboard’s removal was the cause of the crisis.

He alleged that: “Those who removed the signboard were armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, yet the police did not arrest them? “They had earlier erected signboards from Lamingo to Tina Junction. We did not question them, but only mounted the one that caused the dispute.”

But the Commander of the STF at Angwan Rukuba, the venue of the clash also told The Guardian that they had successfully doused the looming crisis. “We have calmed the two supposed warring factions and restored peace in the area.”

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Bloody clash averted in Jos North