2nd June, 2012
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, central Nigeria, has imposed a curfew on Alago and Eggon communities in Lafia, where two persons died in a communal conflict on Friday.
The governor, who visited the two communities Saturday in company of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abayomi Akeremale, directed that the curfew must run from 6 p.m to 6 a.m
Al-Makura expressed concern about the communal clash, promising that his administration would provide security of lives and property in all communities in the state and appealed to all the affected residents to remain calm while the security agents would find the perpetrators of the vicious acts and bring them to judgment.
He said the government would provide relief materials to the victims and stressed the need for the communities to live in peace and unity.
Al-Makura attributed the occurrence of the clash to lack of patience and unity among the community members.
He urged the people of the affected areas to adhere strictly of the curfew, which he said, would hold until peace was restored to the areas.
According to him, the security agencies comprising the military, mobile policemen and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, had been instructed to ensure compliance within the curfew period.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the Eggon community was allegedly compelled to pay taxes to Alago community, which resulted in the communal clash.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Cornelius Ocholi, confirmed that two persons were killed in the clash.
He said the injured persons were receiving treatment at a private specialist hospital in Lafia.