Twenty-eight people were killed while 10 houses and two mosques were torched in a fresh attack in Wukari town of Taraba State on Wednesday.
Our correspondent gathered that trouble started when women and children were protesting against alleged extra-judicial killings by soldiers deployed to keep peace in the area following protracted communal clashes in the community.
Our correspondent gathered that the protest occurred on Wednesday morning amid fresh fighting between Jukuns and some Fulani gunmen.
Our correspondent learnt that 28 people were killed in the fresh onslaught, but the police put the casualty figure at six, adding that 10 others were injured.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Joseph Kwaji, a DSP, told our correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday that 10 houses were also burnt, including two mosques.
According to him, the police have restored normalcy in the area.
“I can confirm to you that only six people were killed, 10 others injured and 10 houses burnt, which included two mosques.
He added, “The tension in the town arose from a peaceful protest by some women and youths in the area. We have also put the situation under control. The protesters said they wanted soldiers removed from the area.”
The protest was said to have followed an alleged killing of 14 youths by the soldiers. Ten others were also said to have been injured by the police.
The protesters marched to the palace of the traditional ruler of the town, police area command and the police headquarters.
The protesters, who also demanded the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew imposed on the town, accused the soldiers of carrying out extra-judicial killings in the area.