Tiv and Jukun communities have deserted Dananacha town in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba state following renewed hostilities between the two ethnic groups.
Daily Trust gathered that the two groups have been in conflict since the attempted change of name of the town from Dananacha to Kwararafa which led to violent clash that claimed several lives in November last year.
It was further gathered that the two ethnic groups also clashed on Saturday but only the quick intervention of soldiers and the police prevented an escalation into full-scale war as the warring factions embarked on mobilisation of their militia groups.
Both ethnic groups are said to have deserted the town with the Jukun heading to Wukari area and the Tiv moving to Sabongida,Tella, Mutumbiyu and Bali areas.
A source in Dananacha, Mallam Habibu Garba told Daily Trust that the Jukun and Tiv have deserted the town and soldiers and Mobile Police now control the area.
Contacted, the police spokesman DSP David Misal confirmed the incident and explained that, “A deputy commissioner of police is leading a 24-hour patrol and peace has been restored in the town now.”
