Six killed, houses burnt in renewed communal clash in Benue

Cephas Iorhemen, MAKURDI

At least six people were killed and houses burnt following a renewed communal clash between Bonta community in Konshisha and Ukpute community in Oju Local Government Areas of Benue State.

The crisis which occurred last Sunday, forced hundreds of inhabitants, including women and children from the affected communities to desert their homes.

The New Telegraph gathered that the crisis began after a farmer from one of the border villages went to farm on a disputed piece of land, which had been deliberately left to fallow to avoid crisis between the warring sides.

It was further gathered that the move by the farmer was resisted by opposing villagers, a development which triggered verbal exchanges and sporadic gunshots from both sides.

The traditional head of Konshisha, the Ter  Kyor,  Chief Thomas Jam Gbinde, said it was unfortunate the incident happened while peace was being brokered among the parties involved. Gbinde disclosed he had contacted the district head of the affected areas and reported the matter to the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse who directed that the perpetrators of the act should be fished out to face the law.

The President of Igede National Youths Council (INYC), Comrade Andyson Egbodo, said that six persons were killed on the Oju side, and many houses set ablaze.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Sewuese Anene, confirmed that there were fresh uprising in the areas, adding that the situation had been brought under control.