2 killed, many houses razed in fresh Benue communal clash

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Two persons have been killed and several others sustained varies degrees of injuries in a renewed dispute between Mbaivuur and Mbasombo communities of Ikpayongo Clan of Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday.
Our correspondent gathered that the Mbasombo youths attacked Mbaivur Community for allegedly killing one of their members, Ayagwa Amu which led to five thousand persons from both communities fleeing their areas for fear of the reprisal attack.
Narrating their ordeal, the President Mbasombo Development Association Anchongo Abar, explained that trouble started when an elderly man from the area by name Ayagwa Amu was on Sunday machete to death by youths suspected to have come from Mbaivuur.
“Prior to that day, the same youths from Mbaivuur allegedly attacked Igbasue Ayagwa while he was in his farm and machete him, although he did not die but is receiving treatment in the hospital.
According to him, the Mbasombo youths in a reprisal attack on Monday razed down over hundred houses belonging to the Mbaivur people including the family house of the coordinator of Health, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi Rev. Fr. Peter Paleve and killed one Dekuran Nor.
The Mbaivur people however, accused some of the traditional rulers and the local government chairman of fueling the crisis, even as they called on the state government to sanction anyone said to be involved in the crisis.
Our correspondent gathered from sources in the area that, the arrival of the Police led by the Commissioner, Mukaddas Garba at the scene of the crisis brought normalcy to the area.
“With the arrival of the Police, there is a little calm in the area, however, two people one from either sides were killed while several others were injured,” a source hinted.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command, on Tuesday, confirmed the killing of one person and destruction of over 10 houses following a communal clash that broke out in Mbasombo community, Ikpayongo council ward of Gwer East local government area of the state.
The Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene who confirmed the incident in a text message to our correspondent in Makurdi, said three persons have been arrested in connection with the community disturbance.
According to her, the people of the area have been fighting themselves over ownership of land, stressing that this is not the first time such clash would occur in the community.
She maintained that already, armed mobile policemen have been sent to the area to forestall further clashes among the people.
“Yes, the Mbasombu, Ikpayongo incident is true, I can confirm it. One casualty was recorded and about 10 houses were burnt down following the clashes”, Anene informed.