Houses burnt, residents killed as Kogi communities renew hostilities

Renewed hostilities between the Itale and Ishi communities in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State have reportedly claimed an unspecified number of lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira. According to reports from the area on Thursday, hoodlums suspected to be from a rival community invaded Ishi village on Tuesday afternoon in what […]

Renewed hostilities between the Itale and Ishi communities in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State have reportedly claimed an unspecified number of lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

According to reports from the area on Thursday, hoodlums suspected to be from a rival community invaded Ishi village on Tuesday afternoon in what appeared to be a reprisal attack.

During the attack, several residents were reportedly killed in an exchange of gunfire, while residential buildings, stored food items, and other valuables were set ablaze.

The neighbouring communities have long been embroiled in disputes over farmlands and fishing ponds, a conflict said to have resisted several peace efforts over the years.

Residents of Ishi community accused their rivals in Itale of plotting retaliation since a deadly clash in November 2025 that resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.

“On November 9, 2025, Itale community was attacked by Ishi, where four people were killed and properties destroyed. Since then, Itale has been planning revenge. We have called for several peace meetings between both communities, but all have been in vain,” said Apeh Kelvin.

A resident, Omachonu Atule, alleged that armed men attacked Ishi village at about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and razed the community.

“Residents have deserted the town and several people have lost their lives. We do not yet know the number of those killed. Many residents, including women and children, have fled to neighbouring villages for refuge,” he said.

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, confirmed the incident, stating that the Divisional Police Office in Ibaji received a distress call on May 6, 2026, at about 7:04 a.m.

Police authorities confirmed that two persons were killed in the crisis and said persons of interest had been identified in connection with the lingering communal clashes between the two communities.

In a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the police commissioner said a joint operations team comprising police operatives, naval personnel, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, and the Kogi State Vigilance Service was deployed to the area.

“On arrival, a tense situation was encountered, with several buildings and agricultural produce, including bags of rice, already set ablaze by suspected youths from Itale community. The joint team acted swiftly, successfully dispersing the hoodlums and restoring normalcy to the area,” the statement said.

The police added that two male corpses were recovered from different locations within Ishi community, while another victim who sustained gunshot injuries from a pump-action rifle was taken to the General Hospital in Idah for treatment.

The statement further disclosed that 57 expended cartridges were recovered from the scene.

According to the command, the area remains under active surveillance, with sustained security deployment to prevent the crisis from spreading to neighbouring communities.

Police also identified persons of interest from both communities as Stephen Enema, Isaac Enedubi, Alex Attah, and Eneje Idah from Itale community, as well as Stephen Amegwu, Shederach Alone, and Friday Onal from Ishi community.

“The Command wishes to state that all individuals found culpable will be duly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

The police urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue to provide security agencies with credible intelligence for prompt action.