Renewed communal clash, between the Iharev and Kparev people of Tse-Sho village in Tyomu, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue state, has reportedly claimed two lives.
Our correspondent also gathered that three persons were kidnapped while some houses were burnt during the clash on Thursday morning.
Recalled that the Iharev and Kparev, indigene-settler, in the Tyomu area had been at each others throat over land. The crisis has lingered for a long time with government intervening to find a lasting solution to the problems.
This time, journalists gathered that trouble started on Wednesday when the Kparev people; settlers, blocked the Makurdi/Gboko highway to protest alleged abduction of three of their men by the Iharev people, indigenes.
The situation was said to have gotten out of hand leading to the death of two persons while motorists were stranded for hours due to the blockade.
Responding to the incident, the Security Adviser, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba rtd, confirmed the report saying the youths of the two warring communities were in his office for a meeting to resolve the crisis.
Meanwhile, the state Police Command, has confirmed the communal clash, saying no life was lost in the mayhem.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command CP. Wale Abass in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Catherine Anene, said three persons were abducted in the area in the early hours of Thursday which resulted in the crisis.
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He explained that “On 22/9//2022 at about 0730hrs, information was received that aggrieved youths of Tse-Sho village blocked Makurdi-Gboko road.
“A team of police detectives deployed to the area gathered from eyewitness that, on the same date at about 0130hrs, armed men suspected to be a disputant group in a lingering land dispute invaded the community and burnt down some houses. They also abducted three persons in the community and took them to an unknown destination.
“It could also be recalled that there has been disagreement between two parties tagged settlers and indigenes within the area.”
He disclosed that after a successful deliberation with the youths, the blockades on the road were removed while investigation is ongoing to rescue persons abducted and to arrest perpetrators.
He urged members of the community to remain calm and await findings from the ongoing investigation just as he expressed commitment to ensure that justice is attained in this case.
