Over 15 persons have been reportedly killed, while several houses were razed down during Mbakine and Ojumole renewed communal crisis in Gwer -East Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a source, the renewed crisis erupted over the weekend when a minor disagreement between two youths at a market place escalated, claiming 15 lives and leading to the razing of several houses in the Ojumole community.
DAILY POST gathered that the warring parties were Igede and Tiv speaking people of Gwer East who had lived together peacefully for over a century.
The incident was confirmed by Igede National Youth leader, Andyson Egbodo.
He expressed shock at the level of destruction and number of casualties in the crisis.
Egbodo said: “We are shocked about what happened.
“The incident happened in Gwer East between Ojumole and Mbakine communities in the LGA.
“In that LGA, the Akpacha Council Ward is an Igede speaking community and they have all been living peacefully like brothers and sisters with their Tiv neighbours for over 100 years without any crisis.
“That is why everyone is shocked about what happened, which started as a minor disagreement; it was uncalled for.
“It all started on Friday and escalated to Saturday. The entire of Ojumole was burnt down, 15 persons were killed, including women and children.”
Efforts to confirm the incident from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP, Udeme Edet was not successful as she could not be reached on her mobile telephone.
