Tension gripped the Angwa Rukuba-Etoo Baba community in the Jos area of Plateau State on Tuesday morning as angry youths set ablaze the house of a farmer and looted his poultry farm following the alleged killing of a security man said to be working for the farmer, News About Nigeria reports.
According to Mrs. Janet Haruna, a resident of the community, who confirmed the incident, the irate youths took to the streets after news broke of the security guard’s death.
Haruna revealed that the farmer’s house, along with cars parked in the compound, was engulfed in flames, and his poultry farm was also set ablaze.
“The fire has just burned the house, including the cars packed in the farmer’s compound, and it has just spread to another building belonging to his neighbour,” Haruna said.
She explained that the youths’ anger stemmed from the alleged killing of the security guard, who was accused of stealing eggs from the farmer’s poultry farm.
The farmer’s son reportedly confronted the security guard after catching him red-handed, leading to a physical altercation that resulted in the guard’s death.
“The son, who had been suspecting the security guard of stealing, was said to have caught him red-handed and started beating him; in the process, the security guard collapsed and died; then the youth came to their family house and set it ablaze,” Haruna recounted.
Emergency responders, including men from the state fire service, swiftly arrived at the scene to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.
Additionally, security operatives were deployed to maintain order and prevent any escalation of violence in the community.
The spokesman for the state police command, Alabo Alfred, directed inquiries to the Divisional Police Officer overseeing the area, stating that efforts were underway to address the situation.
