Another tragedy unfolds in Nigeria as the rate of deaths and killings continues to rise, with Plateau State being the latest scene of devastation.
Several people have been reportedly killed in a conflict in the Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident, involving Taroh and Motola youths, began on Saturday night and continued until Sunday morning.
Musa Ashoms, the state commissioner for information, confirmed the incident, citing a land dispute as the cause.
What makes this incident particularly distressing is that it appears it could have been prevented, sparing lives in the process
The Mikang Local government chairman acknowledged that the incident was something that could have been avoided and not allowed to have escalated to the point where lives are lost and properties are destroyed.
This statement raises concerns as to why it was not averted? Can a similar inference be drawn in every other case of attack and dispute that has resulted in loss of lives and destruction of properties.
What active role is the government taking to ensure that the death toll reduces in the country? What other form of alternative dispute resolution method can be deployed to prevent disputes from degenerating?
Can these situations of killings and deaths be traced to the current economic downturn?
All these questions and many more raises the hackles of Nigerians who do not know where the next conflict will come from.