By; ADAMA JOHN, Lokoja
One person was killed, while over 70 houses were set ablaze in a clash between two warring communities of Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The brewing trouble that culminated in the gruesome murder and the wanton destruction of properties, was said to have started when some villagers from Ochi-Ibadan allegedly accosted and killed a man who was returning from Lagos to his country home (Oturpo-Ojile) in shrewd circumstances.
Piqued by the grotesque murder of their own, some youth from Oturpo-Ojile in a reprisal attack, mobilised, armed themselves to the teeth and wrecked havoc on Ochi-Ibadan by killing one and razing down of over 70 houses.
This was confirmed by Hon. Akus Lawal (APC-Ankpa I) representing the state constituency on the floor of Kogi State House of Assembly on Thursday, saying that the dastardly act was perpetrated on January 14.
He said, “The communal clash between two communities is very worrisome and should not repeat itself again.”
Lawal lent credence to the information that the killing of the returning Oturpo-Ojile man by the fire brand Ochi-Ibadan men triggered the violence that led to the burning down of over 70 houses and unspecified number of properties.
He however, commended the Nigeria Police, Kogi State command, for their prompt intervention that checkmated the escalation of the violence and on-the-spot assessment of the damage.
“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.
Lawal however, appealed to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately provide relief materials for the victims of the communal clash who are now homeless.
