From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Residents of communities along the border of Gwer East and Konshisha local government areas of Benue State have reportedly fled their homes following renewed communal crisis which led to the burning of several houses.
It was gathered that the warring communities located in the two LGAs fought again last weekend after series of fighting in the past three months following an age long warfare.
The source said that trouble started again last Saturday when Mbaiase community in Masev of Gwer East LGA, launched a surprise attack on Gbinde community in Mbagusa, Mbatser, Shangev Tiev of Konshisha LGA, an incident the source, an indigene of Mbaiase in Gwer East claimed was a reprisal.
Media aide to the Chairman of Konshisha LGA, Terhide Fave, admitted that fresh attack occurred on Saturday evening and resulted in the destruction of many houses and properties yet to be numbered.
Fave said that though no lives were lost during the attack but that it caused massive damage to properties, leaving many families currently without homes. “Residents have fled the area. Many houses were burnt but I can’t ascertain the numbers now.”
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.
Police spokesperson for Benue command, CSP Catherine Anene, did not respond to calls or messages for confirmation of the incident.