Communities Clash Over Forest; 3 Persons Injured, Property Destroyed
Three persons have been injured, property and farmlands destroyed as two communities clashed over revenue forests in Niger state, north-central Nigeria, police have confirmed.
The warring communities were said to be claiming ownership of a forest believed to be a source of revenue generation in the area.
The force public relations officer in Niger state, Mr. Bala Elkana, disclosed that the warring communities were in Katcha and Mokwa Local Government areas.
Economic benefit prevents peace
The police spokesman said “economic value of the forest” had made it difficult for the leaderships of the affected communities to resolve the impasse.
“This is the major reason why this problem has not been resolved by the traditional rulers from both emirates,’’ he said.
According to Elkana, anti-riot policemen have been drafted to the troubled areas to compliment efforts of the regular policemen in maintaining law and order.
He stated that the force had brought the situation under control while the two suspects arrested in connection with the incident were in the police custody.
The PPRO urged the people of the two communities to be law abiding and to go about their lawful businesses as normalcy had been restored in the affected areas.
