By TAYE OBATERU
JOS — AT least eight people, including a police corporal, were again killed in the Plateau State capital, yesterday, following fresh hostilities that have turned the city into a virtual war zone.

Several others were injured while vehicles were either burnt or smashed in the commotion that followed the stabbing to death of a policeman of the Anti Bomb Squad at the Abuja Market in Terminus area of the city.

Eye witnesses said the policeman had gone to purchase beef from the market and was waiting for it to be cut into pieces, only for the meat seller to turn his knife on him without provocation. His abdomen was slit open and he died immediately.

Vanguard learnt that another meat seller reportedly stabbed a female customer trying to buy beef from him resulting in pandemonium which reportedly led to the death of three people in the market.

The ensuing violence which spread to other parts resulted in more deaths as it took the usual ethno-religious dimension.

A motorcyclist was burnt with his motorcycle around Ahmadu Bello Way while three more corpses were seen around the Bingham University Teaching Hospital.

Muslims youths who gathered at the Central Mosque for the Maloud Nabiyu prayers were said to have trooped out prepared for a showdown on learning of the skirmish but were prevailed upon to remain calm by Chairman of the Special Task Force maintaining security in the state, Brigadier General Hassan Umaru.

State Police Commissioner, Mr. Abdulrahman Akano, confirmed the killing of the policeman who, he said, went to the market to make a purchase but was stabbed by hoodlums.

Akano who said he was unaware of other deaths, noted that four people have been arrested in connection with the incident and that they were found with a long knife and “solution,” an intoxicant taken by hoodlums.

The commissioner said that those arrested were being questioned adding that the people should go about their businesses as security men have taken control of the situation.

The commotion forced most businesses around Ahmadu Bello, Terminus and Old Bukuru Park areas to close down hurriedly resulting in another bad business day.