Several houses were reportedly burned down on Tuesday as fighting between two communities erupted in Ikpayongo, Gwer East Local Government Area, Benue State.
The renewed rivalry between the warring parties – Mbakume (Mbaivur) and Mbasombo people – erupted over the weekend as one of the warring parties attempted to bury their dead, Daily Trust reports.
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According to witnesses, the trouble escalated on Tuesday morning when the community’s market was set ablaze amid sporadic gunshots.
Residents sought refuge in a local church.
The immediate past governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, tried various options to restore peace, including suspending traditional rulers, but no meaningful results were achieved.
The police also initiated dialogues to resolve the crisis, but it persisted.
SP Catherine Anene, a Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the latest incident, stating that houses were burned.
