Benue: Communal clash claims one life, several houses burnt

One person has been reportedly killed and several houses burnt in a renewed fight between the Mbasombo and Mbaivur communities of Ikpayongo in the Gwer East local government area of Benue State.

The two communities have been caught up in a long-standing conflict that recently reignited with the murder of a young man on his farm.

Reports indicate that the Mbaivur people attacked the Mbasombo community early this morning (Tuesday), burning down numerous homes as they sought retribution for the murder of their son, who was killed on Friday.

On Tuesday, a Mbaivur resident, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the attack on Mbasombo. The eyewitness disclosed that when the Mbaivur community learned of the death of their son, they demanded that the culprits be brought to justice within 48 hours.

“As of this morning, the Mbasombo people were not able to produce those who killed the young farmer; the Mbaivur people went on a reprisal attack,” he said

. The eyewitness further said that five Mbaivur people had been killed earlier before the killing of the young farmer last Friday.

“The corpses were kept in the mortuary, and when this man was killed on his farm last Friday, Mbaivur people removed the other corpses from the mortuary and went and buried them,” he added

According to the eyewitness, the Mbaivur community launched a revenge attack on the Mbasombo people on Tuesday, resulting in the destruction of a market square and numerous homes.

When contacted on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident and said that several houses were burnt but there were no casualties.

“Yes, there was a crisis in the area (Ikpayongo) several houses were burnt but policemen have been dispatched to the area to maintain peace,” Anene said. Punch