Governor Jonah Jang

By Seriki Adinoyi

There is palpable tension in Barkin Ladi town, headquarters of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State Thursday, following alleged demolition of Muslim Eid Prayer Ground by Christian youths of the area.

This is even as one person has been feared dead at the prayer ground.

The prayer ground, a source said, has been under contention over ownership between the indigenous Berom community and the Muslims in the area.

It was gathered that the Berom youths had at one time demolished the prayer ground and prevented the Muslims from worshipping there.

But the matter was taken to court, and while the legal case is still on, the Muslims went back and re-built it in preparation to for the forthcoming Salah.

This development angered the Christian youths who felt they should not have done so since the matter is in court.

They therefore went back and demolished it again, resulting in fresh tension in the area.
     
Meanwhile, hostilities have continued in other parts of the local government following the shooting of four persons by suspected gunmen who attacked Bel-SHO in the early hours of Thursday.

The coordinator of the Christian Faith Mission, a non-governmental organization, Mr. Mark Lipdo said the attackers struck the village in the early hours of Thursday opening fire on innocent persons prompting families to abandon their homes for safety.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emmanuel Abuh or the spokesman of the special task force (STF) to comment on the recent attacks were abortive as their phones were switched off.

But the House of Representative member representing, Barkin Ladi and Riyom constituency in the National Assembly, Mr. Simon Mwadkom has condemned describing the latest attacks as 'barbaric and unacceptable', especially at a time the area is experiencing peace.