Wole Ayodele in Jalingo
One person was killed and several others sustained injuries as two groups of hoodlums engaged each other in a free for all at Dan Anacha, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
THISDAY investigations revealed that trouble started between the two groups last Sunday night at a popular brothel in the town when they engaged each other in arguments which later led to a free for all fight where dangerous weapons were freely used.
Some of the warring groups were later arrested and detained by policemen who were alerted by the residents of the area.
Upon hearing that some of their group members had been detained at the police station, other members of the group stormed the station and demanded an unconditional release of their friends.
Hell was however let loose when members of the opposing group who felt humiliated by those arrested by the police stormed the police station when they learnt there was an attempt by their colleagues to free them.
An eyewitness, who does not want his name in print, told THISDAY that the hoodlums engaged each other in a bloody battle which eventually left one person dead and several others seriously injured
According to him, “The fighting was so fierce and they used several dangerous weapons and shot sporadically into the air. They killed one Mr. Anum Sone before they started vandalising and looting shops most of which belonged to Igbos and other traders.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of Gassol Local Government, Alhaji Yahuza Yaya’u, described those behind the mayhem as hoodlums and criminals who fomented the crisis to enable them loot shops.
He, however, stated that he had summoned a stakeholders’ meeting to ensure normalcy is returned to the area including calling for additional deployment of security personnel.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, confirmed to THISDAY that the crisis was between two groups that had a misunderstanding at a drinking spot in the area but added that normalcy had since returned to the area just as he enjoined the people of the area to go about their normal business without fear.
In a related development, police authorities in the state have announced the killing of a high profile armed robber popularly known as Nyamadue who was said to be the deputy to wanted Terwaze Kwaza alias Ghana.
Briefing journalists in his office yesterday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dave Akinremi, said Nyamadue was killed by men of the command in a shoot out along Takum-Katsina/Ala road where he and his group had gone for armed robbery operation.
He further stated that though Nyamadue was felled by police bullets, other members of the gang escaped into the bush with bullet wounds, adding that a G3 riffle with 10 rounds of ammunition and different kinds of charms were recovered.
Besides the criminal gang, the CP disclosed that some kidnappers and other criminals terrorising the people of the state have been arrested and are currently facing prosecution in law courts.
