Jos communities disagree over ownership of cemetery

No fewer than four people were injured following a fracas between members of Anaguta and Hausa in Yelwa community of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Benue/Plateau Trust learnt that the disagreement began three days back after a gutter was dug beside a cemetery by the Hausa community to prevent people from passing through,a decision that angered the Anaguta community, who claimed the land where the dead were buried belonged to them.

The disagreement sparked a serious clash leading to the injuring of four persons.

Yakubu Bagudu, a member of the Anaguta community said: “The whole thing is about ownership of a cemetery. There were quarrels between the warring communities where three of our members were injured. The land belongs to us. It is our community that bought the land and they said we cannot sell it. Now, we want to know if the cemetery is not sold.

“Following the clash, the local council authority has summoned all the parties and has asked us to call on the youth in the area to go about their normal activities peacefully as efforts are being made to ensure in the area. We are asked to return next week for further discussion on the matter,” he added.

Muhammad Sha’aibu, the Imam of the Jumma’at Mosque in the area disagreed with the Anaguta community, saying the cemetery belonged to them, explaining that they had been burying for more than two decades.

He said: “Definitely, we dug the gutter to prevent people from passing through because it is a cemetery. When we realised that they have filled the gutter, we said no. While trying to dig it again, one of our members was shot on the leg and has been taken to Ola Hospital for treatment.”

Our correspondent reports that police and soldiers have been deployed to the area to restore law and order.