Communal Clash In Kogi, Two Killed, 70 Houses Set Ablaze

Lokoja, Kogi State– At least two persons have been killed, and more than 70 houses were reduced to ashes as a result of a violent communal clash that erupted between two communities in Kogi State.

The communities involved in the communal clash are Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan, located in the Ankpa Local Government Area of the state.

Trouble began when some villagers in Ochi-Ibadan allegedly killed a man from Oturpo-Ojile who was returning to his village from Lagos.

Aggrieved Distraught by the loss of their son, some youths from Oturpo-Ojile engaged in a reprisal attack. They reportedly targeted Ochi-Ibadan, where they allegedly set fire to houses and properties valued at millions of naira.

The member representing Ankpa I state Constituency, Akus Lawal, confirmed the incident on the Kogi State House of Assembly floor during the Thursday plenary.

He said the sad incident occurred on January 14, 2024, saying that the communal clash between the two communities was very worrisome and should not repeat itself.

He appealed to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency to immediately provide relief materials for all the affected victims in the communal clash.

Confirming the incident, SP William Aya, the spokesman for the State Police Command, stated that a detachment of policemen has been deployed to the location.

He said that a mob killed one Samuel Peter and one other person.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, has visited the two communities while normalcy has been restored.