Residents flee as houses burnt in renewed Benue communal crisis
Residents have fled a renewed fighting which led to the burning of several houses in clashes between villagers along the border of Gwer East and Konshisha Local Government Areas of Benue State. Locals said the warring communities located in the two LGAs of the state renewed hostility at the weekend after a series of fighting […]
one of the deserted communities
Residents have fled a renewed fighting which led to the burning of several houses in clashes between villagers along the border of Gwer East and Konshisha Local Government Areas of Benue State.
Locals said the warring communities located in the two LGAs of the state renewed hostility at the weekend after a series of fighting in the past three months following an age-long disaffection.
The witnesses alleged that the latest incident occurred when the Mbaiase community in Masev of Gwer East LGA, launched a surprise attack on the Gbinde community in Mbagusa, Mbatser, ShangevTiev of Konshisha LGA.
But an indigene of Mbaiase in Gwer East, who preferred anonymity, claimed that the incident was a reprisal.
- Cult violence: Bayelsa student shot dead, 58 expelled from Auchi poly
- Senate seeks inclusion of LG representatives as members of FAAC
Media aide to the chairman of Konshisha LGA, TerhideFave, admitted that fresh attack occurred on Saturday evening and resulted in the destruction of many houses and properties yet to be numbered.
Fave said though no live was lost during the attack, it caused massive damage to properties, leaving many families without homes.
“Residents have fled the area. Many houses were burnt but I can’t ascertain the numbers now,” he said.
He added that his principal, the Konshisha LGA chairman, Terfa Moses Chikyaa, visited the affected areas on Sunday with his team and had since condemned the attack and urged the communities to remain calm and not react violently.
He also said that the chairman had advised the affected people not to take the law into their own hands, promising that the state government would take steps to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The spokesperson of the police in the state, CSP Catherine Anene, did not respond to calls or messages sent to her on the incident.