Benue Residents Flee Over Communal Clashes

Palpable fear has gripped farmers from the Mbaiase and Gbinde communities in the Gwer East and Konshisha local government areas of Benue State. Many have fled in droves following a communal clash between the two warring communities.

Local sources told our correspondent that the warring communities in the two LGAs of the state renewed hostility at the weekend after a series of clashes in the last three months following an age-long difference.

The source alleged that the current incident occurred when the Mbaiase community in the Masev of Gwer East LGA launched a surprise attack on the Gbinde community in Mbagusa, Mbatser, ShangevTiev of Konshisha LGA.

He said the fresh attack on the Gbinde community by the Mbaiase community seems to be a reprisal attack.

The media aide to council chairman Terhide Fave, who confirmed the attack, explained that the council has yet to ascertain the number of houses and properties that were razed during the attack.

According to him, “there was no loss of lives during the attack, but it led to the destruction of properties and displacement of families, who have fled to neighbouring communities for safety.

“Residents of both communities have fled for fear of the unknown; many houses were burnt to the ground; however, we are yet to ascertain the number of houses and properties destroyed.”

He added that his principal, the Konshisha LGA chairman, Terfa Moses, condemned what he described as an unprovoked attack, visited the affected community with his team and appealed to them to remain calm and allow the security agents to do their work.

“Do not take the law into your hands; whoever has any useful information should give it to the security agents who are on the ground to do their work, and I want to assure you that the perpetrators of this act will be brought to book,” he added.

Efforts to get a reaction from the police spokesperson, Catherine Anene, proved abortive at the time of filing this report.