In a fresh round of violence between rival groups, one person has been confirmed dead and three others injured after a clash between members of the notorious Sara-Suka groups in Jos, Plateau State. The incident, which occurred late on Tuesday evening, took place around the Yantifa community in Jos North Local Government Area and has left the area in confusion and fear.
The conflict, which saw rival group members armed with machetes, caused panic among residents. Many people were forced to flee their homes as the violent skirmishes unfolded. Eyewitnesses reported that members of the two Sara-Suka groups—Anguwan Rogo and Yantifa—engaged in brutal attacks, resulting in the tragic death of one individual and injuries to three others.
According to local sources, the clash broke out between members of the rival groups, who have been at odds for some time now. These groups, commonly known as Sara-Suka, have a long history of violent disputes, and the latest confrontation is part of an ongoing rivalry that has plagued several parts of Jos. The Sara-Suka groups, often associated with violent criminal activities, have caused significant insecurity in Plateau State in recent years.
Lawan Chizo, a local vigilante, confirmed the latest incident. He told our correspondent that security agencies, including soldiers, were quickly deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further escalation of the violence. “We heard sounds of machetes and gunshots. People were running for their lives. It was a very tense moment,” Chizo said. Despite the initial chaos, he assured that by the time of reporting, normalcy had been largely restored in the area.
Residents in the Yantifa community expressed frustration over the continuous violent clashes between the rival groups. They called on the authorities to take stronger action to address the root causes of the conflict and end the cycle of violence that has made life increasingly difficult for them.
The two Sara-Suka groups involved in the latest clash, Anguwan Rogo and Yantifa, have a long history of disputes. The rivalry between these groups has contributed significantly to the instability in Jos and surrounding areas. The groups are known for engaging in violent altercations, often over territorial control, and their activities have been linked to several incidents of insecurity and lawlessness in the region.
Residents have been living in constant fear of these clashes, which often occur without warning and escalate quickly, leading to loss of life and destruction of property. The Sara-Suka groups are notorious for using machetes and other weapons to settle scores, making them particularly dangerous to unsuspecting civilians.
While the Plateau State Government and security agencies have made efforts to curb the activities of these groups, the reoccurrence of such violence suggests that more needs to be done to address the underlying causes of the conflict. The rivalry between these groups often involves issues of power, control, and influence within certain neighborhoods, further complicating efforts to maintain peace in the region.
In response to the violence, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police has called for an emergency meeting with community leaders from the affected areas. The aim of the meeting is to discuss measures to address the ongoing activities of the Sara-Suka groups and ensure that such clashes do not escalate further.
Security agencies have been working hard to control the situation, but many residents remain fearful. The presence of soldiers and police officers in the area has helped restore some sense of order, but the underlying tension remains. Community leaders have called for increased security measures and more proactive interventions from the authorities to prevent future outbreaks of violence.
“We are tired of this constant violence. The Sara-Suka groups are a menace to our communities. Every time there is a clash, we suffer the consequences,” one resident of Yantifa told our correspondent. “We want peace, but it seems like no one is doing enough to stop these groups.”
The deadly clash in Yantifa comes just two days after another violent incident in the Al-Mohap praying ground area, where three members of the Sara-Suka groups were killed. These recent events highlight the increasing frequency of clashes between rival groups in Jos and surrounding areas, further raising concerns about the growing insecurity in Plateau State.
The state government and security agencies have been under pressure to take more decisive action to curb the activities of the Sara-Suka groups and restore peace in the region. While some steps have been taken, including the deployment of security forces and the arrest of suspected members of these groups, the violence persists, and many residents feel that more needs to be done.
In addition to addressing the immediate security concerns, there have been calls for a more comprehensive approach to tackling the underlying causes of the violence. Experts have pointed out that the Sara-Suka groups often thrive in environments where poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunity are prevalent. Addressing these socio-economic issues is crucial to preventing the rise of such violent groups in the future.
Community leaders and residents have called for greater investment in education, job creation, and community development to give young people in the region alternatives to joining criminal groups like the Sara-Suka. They have also emphasized the need for stronger cooperation between the government, security agencies, and local communities to create a more peaceful and secure environment.
As the situation in Jos continues to unfold, the state government faces a critical challenge in restoring peace to the region. The recent clashes have once again highlighted the need for urgent and lasting solutions to the growing insecurity in Plateau State.
