Police arrest one over Benue communal clash

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Omololu Bishi, on Friday confirmed the arrest of one person in connection with the disturbances that erupted between Tiv and Jukun youths in Abinsi community of Guma Local Government Area of the state. Our correspondent reports that the crisis which led to the burning of some houses on Thursday […]

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Omololu Bishi, on Friday confirmed the arrest of one person in connection with the disturbances that erupted between Tiv and Jukun youths in Abinsi community of Guma Local Government Area of the state.

Our correspondent reports that the crisis which led to the burning of some houses on Thursday night in the area was allegedly started by two motorcycle riders belonging to each of the tribes.

Bishi in a chat with Daily Trust in Makurdi explained that a Tiv commercial cyclist and his Jukun counterpart engaged themselves in war of words and that before long, the disagreement snowballed into tribal sentiments.

The commissioner added that supporters on both sides went on rampage as they torched some houses of their perceived opponents in the vicinity.

He however noted that the prompt intervention of the police had brought calm in the area but that no lives were lost in the incident as reported in some quarters.

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom who visited the troubled town earlier on today, promised to constitute a committee that would investigate the root cause of the crisis for immediate government action.