Uhuru Samuel Adaji Jalingo
Not fewer than 10 persons were reportedly killed while several others injured in Takum LGA in Taraba State on Sunday following an exchange of gunshots between the Kuteb ethnic group and the Hausas in the area.
An eye witness told National Trail in a telephone interview that the crisis started at about 11:30 in the morning when some gunmen suspected to be Kuteb milithia opened fire and killed three Hausas transporting Cows in a pickup Van between Dogongawa and Army barracks road leading into Takum town.
According to the eye witness, the suspected Kuteb millitia also killed the five Cows being transported by the Hausas .
It was gathered that tension went high in Takum town when the news of the killing along Dogongawa road filtered into the town as the Hausas allegedly mobilised for arms and amunitions to counter the attack.
National Trail gathered that both the Hausas and the suspected militia later engaged themselves in a duel gunshot for several hours thereby sending the residents of Takum to run for safety.
An eye witness disclosed that over 10 persons were killed and several others injured when the sound of gunshot subsided few hours later.
It was gathered that the Kuteb militia who have been at war with the fulanis in the area allegedly vowed to resist any attempt by the Fulanis to transport Cows in and out of Takum.
When contacted, the President Kuteb NYATSO Association, Comrade, Emma Ukwen said he could not give account of the crisis because he was far away in Jalingo.
Meamwhile, the Police spokesman SP Usman Abdullahi told National Trail that two persons were killed with several others injured.
He further stated that soldiers and anti riot policemen have been deployed to Takum town to control the situation.
Our correspondent further gathered that a 12 hours curfew has been imposed on Takum and environs to stop the escalation of the crisis. //.