The Nigerian Army has arrested six suspects over the ongoing communal crisis in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Lt.-Col. Chima Egemole, the Commanding Officer of the 93 Battalion, Takum, paraded the suspects and arms and ammunitions recovered before journalists in Takum on Sunday.
Egemole disclosed that two peace meetings were held in Ibi recently as directed by the military high command but the rampaging youths turned deaf ears and continued to foment trouble in the area.
“Prior to the most recent incident on Friday, two peace meetings were held in Ibi within the same week with a view to finding amicable solution to the crisis but it seems the miscreants are bent on going on with the with crisis.
“It took the prompt intervention of troops and other security agents to restore normalcy in the area,” he said.
The commanding officer said a 24-hour curfew had been imposed on Ibi while manhunt for the remaining hoodlums was in progress.
Egemole, who explained that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai’s mission was to ensure the restoration of peace among all Nigerians, urged all stakeholders to continue with negotiations.
“Measures have been put in place for more peace meetings to resolve the unfortunate crisis in the area,” he added.
Egemole urged parents to properly educate the youths on the need for peaceful co-existence and tolerance among the inhabitants to give room for the development of the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that seized arms and ammunitions displayed at the event included three AK47 assault rifles, two AK47 magazines, 104 rounds of 7.2MM, 19 rounds of 5.5 MM, four single barrel guns, and 11 cartridges.
Egemole, thereafter, handed over the six suspects and the arms and ammunitions to Mr John Akpovwovwo, the Divisional Police Officer in Takum for further investigation and prosecution. (NAN)