Jos — There was another stampede in Jos yesterday as people took to their heels on hearing reports of a clash between military men and some villagers around the Police Staff College in Jos.

There was a similar commotion on Monday when the military tried to prevent youths from staging a protest march into the town.

Yesterday's stampede was said to have been as a result of an attempt by some youths to prevent some hoodlums from vandalizing some vehicles damaged during the January crisis which were parked at the roadsides. Another version has it that confusion broke out when some youths tried to stop some Fulani who were relocating from that part of the town to another and members of the joint task force intervened.

Another account however attributed the commotion to a clash by members of the joint task force and some policemen at the Police Staff College, while trying to arrest some fleeing Fulani men who ran into the college's premises.

The soldiers were said to have opened fire when the police men refused them entry into the premises saying they must first clear with higher authorities.

The shot fired by military men was said to have hit two persons. One of them was said to have died instantly while the other was injured. One military man was said to have been shot too. It was not clear whether he died.

The military men were said to have gone to the college in two armoured personnel carriers (APCs) with number NA 25-950322 and NA 25-95032333 and two Hilux trucks with number FGN 373A0/3 and PL274101. The Fulani men were alleged to have sneaked into the premises of the college through a collapsed fence.

Police public relations officer ASP Mohammed Lerama could not confirm the incident but said the police would be addressing the press today to answer to all questions emanating from the recent crisis. Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Galadima Shekari could not be reached for comments.

In another development, women in Vwang district of Jos South local government came out yesterday to protest the alleged killing of a young man.

The women, numbering about 30, who wore black attires, lamented the situation saying it is unfortunate if those sent to defend them were now killing them.