From AMEDU JOSEPH, Lokoja
One person has been killed while over 70 houses were set ablaze in a communal clash between two communities in Kogi State.
The communities involved in the communal clash are Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan under Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Trouble started when some villagers in Ochi-Ibadan allegedly killed a man from Oturpo-Ojile who was returning from Lagos to his own village, (Oturpo-Ojile).
Aggrieved with the death of their son, some youths from Oturpo-Ojile in a reprisal attack went straight to
Ochi-Ibadan and allegedly burnt down over 70 houses.
The member representing Ankpa( I) state Constituency, Hon. Akus Lawal 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 that 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 of having 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 clashes 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.
Contacted,the spokesman of the state Police Command,SP William Aya, confirmed the incident. He said that Samuel Peter and one other person were killed by mob action following a comunal clash between Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan villages after Peter was killed.
According to him,”thirty houses were razed while several properties were destroyed. He said that the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha has visited the two communities while normalcy has been restored.
