By TOR VANDE-ACKA, Makurdi

About six persons are feared to have been killed and many houses set ablaze in a renewed communal clash between Bonta community in Konshisha Local Government Area (LGA) and Ukpute community in Oju LGA of Benue state on Sunday.

Daily Independent however learnt that the figure of those that lost their lives in the clash could be higher.

President, Igede National Youths Council (IYC), Comrade Andyson Egbodo who disclosed this, however explained that on the Oju side, six persons lost their lives, while several houses were burnt during the crisis.

Egbodo who spoke in a telephone conversion with Daily Independent in Makurdi on Monday stated that he was awaiting additional information and observed that the number of deaths could be higher.

Daily Independent gathered that the fresh crisis in the two border communities of the state was ignited after a farmer from one of the villages went to farm on a disputed piece of land which had been left fallow to avert crisis between the two communities.

We also learnt that the move by the farmer was resisted by opposing villagers, a development which degenerated to verbal exchanges and subsequently into shooting, which led to the death of the six persons.

The incident which happened on Sunday, took place at the heels of a peace meeting earlier held on Saturday between the warring parties.

Reacting to the incident, the Paramount ruler, Konshisha LGA, the Ter Ikyor, HRH Thomas Jam Gbinde who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi via telephone, described the clash as “unfortunate”.

He lamented that the clash took place while there were ongoing talks aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Jam Gbinde also pointed out that he had contacted the district head of the affected area and reported the matter to Tor Tiv who directed that the perpetrators of the dastard act be fished for the law to take its course.

It could be recalled that villagers of the affected communities had last Tuesday deserted their homes following renewed crisis over land dispute.

Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police has however said it has no record of deaths following the crisis.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Sewuese Anene who confirmed the incident, however stated that normalcy has been restored to the area. (Daily Independent)

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