Many people were reportedly injured with several houses and business centres burned following a disagreement between traditional worshippers and some youths in Shimankar community of Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources from the community indicated that the traditional festival among the natives, known as ‘Kool Kwateng’ which is usually performed to usher toddlers into adulthood through circumcision rites which commenced on Sunday night was vehemently contested by some youths of another faith and erupted to violence.
The incident caused pandemonium among residents including women and children scampering for safety as enraged youths set fire on houses and business centres leading to disruption of business activities in the community.
Shendam local government council chairman, Kemi Nshe, confirmed the incident which he attributed to a misunderstanding between traditional worshippers and some youths during the annual festival.
“There was a misunderstanding among the natives and some youths, and the situation was hijacked by some criminal elements who resorted to burning houses and shops with people injured and property destroyed in the process. The injured are receiving medical attention in nearby hospital,” the chairman added.
The council chairman commended efforts of security agencies in controlling the incident from escalating as normalcy has returned to the troubled community.
Meanwhile, Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Simon Lalong, has condemned the skirmishes in Shimankar, describing the clashes within his constituency between some groups in the community as unfortunate and called for restraint and calm as dialogue remains the best way to address any differences.
The Senator in a press release signed by his media adviser, Simon Makut, commended law enforcement agencies and members of the traditional institution for their prompt response in calming nerves which prevented the situation from degenerating and urged the people to sustain vigilance to ensure that normalcy prevails in the community.
The senator also appealed to security agencies to carry out thorough investigation to identify the cause of the skirmishes as well as ensure that those responsible for breach of public peace are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
