10 feared dead as Benue communities clash

Written by Johnson Babajide, Makurdi Thursday, 09 August 2012

ABOUT 10 persons were feared dead,with property worth millions of naira destroyed in a renewed hostility between inhabitants of Ojantele and Ijegwu communities in Otukpo and Obi local government areas of Benue State.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that fighting erup-ted between the border communities on Tuesday night, following a land dispute adjoining the warring neighbours.

The source said that houses, huts and farmland were not spared by the warring communities, leading to the displacement of villagers.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Omadachi Oklobia, confirmed the death of two of his cousins when he appeared before the state assembly to give the position of the state finance on Wednesday.

The representatives of the communities prayed the House of Assembly, through a motion, to call on the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Christopher Katso, to deploy his officers and men in the crisis zone, in order to restore law and order in the communities.

Honourable Baba Ode, representing Otukpo/Akpa constituency, who raised the motion on Wednesday at the floor of the assembly, informed the members that he received a phone call on Tuesday night, intimating him that fighting had erupted between his constituents and the neighbouring Ijegwu community in Obi Local Government Area.

Supporting the motion, Honourable Nick Eworo, who represents Obi state constituency, regretted that the communities had, in the last 10 years, been hostile to each other.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ezeala, said he was yet to be briefed on the crisis.

via Tribune