Death toll rises as Rukubi attacks spread to other areas of Nasarawa!

The Nasarawa police confirmed the death of 15 people in Rukubi.

The violent clashes in Rukubi that occurred on Tuesday and claimed about 27 lives has spilled over to southern Doma and part of Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria leading to the death of three people, injuring many, and displacing mostly Tiv and Bassa people. The displaced are mostly in five villages and hamlets of Olunya District, popularly known as Amaku Town.

The Nasarawa police have confirmed the death of five people in the Rukubi attack on Tuesday. The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa, Umar Shehu, said no arrests have been made while the police are investigating the matter.

The seemingly retaliatory attacks have however continued.

A victim of an attack in Gidan-Uba on Thursday night, Gowon Gobe, told news men on Friday via telephone that he escaped the assailants with his four kids by mere whiskers, but sustained deep injuries from weapons the suspects used on him.

“Those who attacked me thought I was already dead after beating me. They used machetes on me and threw me into the forest but did not touch my children. To God be the glory I latter regained consciousness and someone this morning (Friday) assisted me on a motorbike with the children and took us to a clinic in Akum village, Odege district of Nasarawa local government, where I’m receiving medical attention,” he explained.

According to another source who pleaded anonymity, three people who were killed on Thursday have been dumped at the residence of the community leader of the Tiv people, Fagah Adiew, in Olunya Amaku.

The villages affected in the renewed attack included Sabon-Gida, Kereku, Gidan-Uba, Tse-Tanbira and Tse-Gbogbo which are predominantly Tiv and Bassa.

According to a witness, the attackers were allegedly speaking Hausa while carrying out the attacks. “Zamu mu rama abunda akayi wa yanwaninmu a Rukubi,” the attackers allegedly said; meaning “We will revenge what happened to our kinsmen in Rukubi.”

The recent Rukubi attacks at southern Nasarawa State were blamed on the Tiv, the witness said. He added that the five villages affected have become ghost villages as residents have abandoned them.

The displaced people who are mostly farmers are currently taking refuge in parts of Nasarawa council which shares borders with Doma council; while others have crossed over to Benue State for safety.

The affected communities are calling for security intervention to prevent more attacks.