Inhabitant of Katakpa Desert Community Over Attack By Gunmen
By Yusuf Usman
Katakpa community in Toto local government area of Nasarawa state has been deserted by the inhabitants after an attack by some gunmen suspected to be members of a local militia group.
Three persons were killed in the attack as property worth millions of naira which include vehicles, motorcycles,rice milling machines, food stuff and houses including palace of the traditional ruler of the community were destroyed.
Radio Nigeria correspondent was on the entourage of the member representing Umaisha/Ugya state constituency Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad who visited the community to assess level of destruction and to commiserate with the people over the attack.
Scared of another attack,residents of the community have deserted the area as the old, women and children have all fled.
Only members of vigilante group, a number of youths and military personnel deployed to the community to maintain law and order could be seen salvaging what was left from the ruins.
Three persons, Four houses, Five vehicles, Nine motorcycles and Three rice milling machines were destroyed in the attack.
The palace of the traditional ruler, Ohikwa of Katakpa was burnt down with all property destroyed.
The Ohikwa of Katakpa community, Alhaji Abubakar Sadik expressed concern with the incessant attacks on his people and appealed to the state government to expedite action in resolving the communal dispute in that axis..
The communal dispute between the Egbira and Bassa ethnic nationalities in Toto local government area had lingered for over twenty years,affecting socio economic activities of the people.
There had been attacks and counter attacks which had resulted in the displacement of some communities from their ancestral homes as well as destruction of lives and property worth hundreds of millions of naira on both sides.
The latest attack on Katakpa town occurred despite ongoing efforts by the state Governor Abdullahi Sule to bring lasting solution to the lingering communal dispute between the two tribes.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, some inhabitants of Katakpa expressed dismay with the unending crises and appealed to government to ensure speedy resolution of the dispute.
After his assessment of the level of destruction, the member representing Umaisha/Ugya state constituency in the Nasarawa state house of assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad said one of the ways to bring enduring solution to the crisis is through enactment of a Law, clearly stating immediate,medium and lasting peace process between the two communities.
Ibrahim Sa’ad restated his commitment to work closely with Traditional rulers in his constituency towards addressing the age long dispute which has caused serious set back to agricultural and commercial activities in the area.
The state house of Assembly member expressed gratitude to Governor Abdullahi Sule for his relentless efforts to resolve the dispute between the two ethnic groups in Toto local government area of the state.
The state lawmaker donated bags of rice,semovita, vegetable and palm oil among other food items as well as cash to the youths and security personnel deployed to the town..
