Communal clash claims one, several houses burnt

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Renewed fighting between Mbasombo Community and Mbaivur Community of Ikpayongo in Gwer East local government has claimed one life
An indigene of the area who pleaded anonymity told Peoples’ Daily on phone yesterday Tuesday that an indigene of Mbaivur was killed by Mbasombo people while he was working on his farm last Friday.
He said after the incident, the people demanded that the perpetrators be brought to book evem as they gave them a timeline.
Unable to produce the perpetrators after the time frame given had elapsed even when the Police were involved, the Mbaivur people went on reprisal attack.
“Some people died during this crisis and they were kept in the mortuary and when this man was killed in his farm, last Friday, they removed the corpses from the mortuary. It was during their burial, that those who killed the man came and started shooting sporadically.
“However, the people succeeded in burying the five persons and after that, not satisfied with what happened, Mbaivur people came and attacked Mbasombo people leading to the burning down of a market square. I wouldn’t know if there are casualties”, the witness said.
When contacted, Benue State Police Command Public Relations’ Officer SP Catherine Anene confirmed the incident, stating that several houses were burnt but there were no casualties.
She said policemen were swiftly despatched to the area to maintain peace.