Gunmen numbering about 100 invaded the popular Ashangwa market in Lafia East development area of Nasarawa State, killing four and injuring five on Tuesday.FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @6326david
Investigation by our correspondent indicated that the crisis began at about 4pm at Ashangwa market, along Shendam road in Lafia when the gunmen raided the place.
It was also gathered that the gunmen who came on motorcycles trailed the trailer with number plate DNG 155 XAA carrying more than 100 cows from Jos going to Lafia, ahead of Thursday’s Shinge market in the state.
A source said two people were killed during the crisis adding that before Tuesday’s crisis in Ashangwa, some suspected Fulani cattle breeders had informed some selected businessmen who go to the market (Ashangwa) not to go as according to him the Fulani people were going to launch an attack on the market.
One of the victims of the attack, Alhahi Danladi Babaji, who spoke to PUNCH correspondent explained that the truck he was travelling left Kanam in Plateau State at about 12pm before they were stopped by some gunmen at Ashangwa market demanding to search the truck.
He said, “You are not government workers so you cannot search the vehicles. The refusal of the driver to oblige to the search infuriated the youths, they chased us to Lafia where soldiers intervened.”
Further findings by our correspondent revealed that the gunmen were caught up with the soldiers around Lafia, few kilometers away from the Government House on Shendam road Lafia, resulting in heavy shootout for several minutes unabated.
It was learnt that the gunmen exchanged fire with security operatives close to the Nasarawa State Government House gate late evening few minutes after the state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, left the state for Abuja.
It was gathered that one of the passengers of the trailer that sustained injury was taken to Dalhatu Specialist Hospital, for medical treatment when the truck managed to stop in front of the hospital.
At about 9pm our correspondent who was at the scene of the incident reports that security operatives repelled the gunmen and intercepted the truck and later moved it to the Police Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia.
Confirming the incident in an interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Command, ASP Ismaila Numan, said the gunmen attacked a truck loaded with cow traveling from Jos to Shinge market in preparation towards Thursday market.
According to him there was no casualty recorded during the crisis, but four people were injured and security men have been deployed in the area to prevent any eventuality.
Sources said the Eggon militia group suspected the truck of carrying arms to the state consequent upon which it attempted intercepting the truck.
But a former magistrate in the state, Zamani Alumaga, blamed the incident on the proliferation of fire arms in the state on the governor whom he accused of bringing in militia groups to fight his cause.
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