At least six people were feared dead, following a mob action that occurred in Dan Anacha town, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, North Eastern Nigeria.
Local sources said the violence erupted on Sunday evening at a local beer parlour when a Tiv man allegedly blasphemed against Islam.
A resident who simply identified himself as Habu Dan Anacha told DAILY NIGERIAN on phone that the Tiv man drew the ire of some Muslim youths when he allegedly made blasphemous remarks on Prophet Muhammad at a beer parlour.
“A Tiv man was involved in an argument with another person at a beer parlour, and in the course of the argument, he allegedly made blasphemous remark.
“He picked Holy Qur’an and Muslim rosary, making blasphemous remarks against Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
“This provoked the other Muslim guys in the beer parlour to start beating him up.
“After his arrest by the police to avert crisis, his Tiv kinsmen rushed to police station to secure his release but police declined. So they took to the streets, protesting and burning shops and stalls.
“Six people killed and many others injured as the Tiv youths went on rampage,” he said.
A female resident Lami Danladi also said that the incident caused stampede, leaving petty traders and their customers to hurriedly leave the area.
Already curfew was imposed in the town as soldiers and anti-riot policemen were deployed to avert escalation of the violence.
David Misal, police spokesman in Taraba confirmed the incident but said he could not ascertain the casualty figure.
“As I am talking to you more security were deployed to the area, which include soldiers and mobile police.
“For now I cannot confirm casualty figures. And so far no arrest was made, but we are investigating the immediate and remote causes of this violence,” he added.
