Two persons were killed while over 30 houses were burnt in a violent communal clash between Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan communities in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Spokesman of the state police command, SP William Aya confirmed this to newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday.
Aya said the bloody clash between the two communities started on January 14 and lasted till the early hours of Monday, January 15.
Aside houses, Aya said unspecified number of vehicles, motorcycles , tricycles and bicycles were burnt in the clashes.
However, reports, said trouble started when some villagers in Ochi-Ibadan allegedly killed a Man from Oturpo-Ojile.
The victim was said to be returning from Lagos to his own village, Oturpo-Ojile when he was clubbed to death by some persons suspected to be from Ochi -Ibadan community.
Irked by the development, some youths from Oturpo-Ojile were to have launched a reprisal attack , leading to the killing of two persons and burning of over 30 houses and unspecified number of motors, tricycles, motorcycles, bicycles and other personal belongings.
Hon. Akus Lawal, the member representing Ankpa One State Constituency, confirmed the incident on the floor of the Kogi State House of Assembly during plenary on Thursday.
He said : “The sad incident occurred on 14th January, 2024.
“The communal clash between two communities is very worrisome and should not repeat itself again.
“We were informed by the death of one Man from Oturpo-Ojile while returning from a journey led to a reprisal attack by his people on Ochi-Ibadan village who they accused to have caused the death of their son.
“Over 70 houses and many properties in Ochi-Ibadan were burnt down.
“We must commend the Commissioner of Police who went to this community for an on the spot assessment and the Kogi State Government under Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the quick response.
“We are praying that such communal clash will not happen in our land again.”
He, however, appealed to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency to immediately provide relief materials for all the affected victims in the communal clash. (vitalnewsngr.com)
