By Femi Bolaji

Lafia—No fewer than 31 persons have lost their lives in the ongoing ethnic crisis between Bassa and Egbura communities in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

It was also gathered that several others were injured with many displaced as a result of sustained attacks which has lasted for over two weeks.

National Secretary of Bassa Cultural and Development Union, BCDU, Watana Dogwo, who disclosed this at a briefing in Lafia, alleged that Egbura militias paraded themselves in military regalia to launch attacks on Bassa communities in the area.

He said: “It is incumbent on us as the overall body of Bassa nation to tell the world about the reign of terror and massacre unleashed on the Bassa people in the on-going war in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which government and all other relevant bodies have strangely remained mute.

“It is over two weeks now since the crisis in Toto began and the Bassa people have been consistently attacked by the Egbura hired mercenaries, who parade themselves in military uniforms.

“These mercenaries are often mistaken as military men by our people who, as it were, ought to provide security but are used by Egbura militia to wreak havoc on the Bassa.”

He claimed “there are clandestine moves by the Egbura and their leaders to attach religion to the ongoing crisis,” calling on government and international community to salvage the plight of the victims whom, according to him, have been rendered refugees in their own land.

The group condemned the continuous killings in Toto and advocated the stop of genocide on Bassa people for lasting peace and free flow of movement in the area.