Two individuals have been killed whereas over 70 homes have been set on hearth throughout a conflict between two communities in Kogi State. The communities concerned within the communal conflict are Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan below Ankpa Native Authorities Space of Kogi State.
Hassle began when some villagers in Ochi-Ibadan allegedly killed a person from Oturpo-Ojile who was returning to his personal village (Oturpo-Ojile) from Lagos.
Aggrieved by the dying of their son, some youths from Oturpo-Ojile in retaliation went straight to Ochi-Ibadan and reportedly set hearth to over 70 homes.
The member representing Ankpa I state constituency, Hon. Akus Lawal confirmed the incident throughout the plenary sitting on the ground of the Kogi State Home of Meeting on Thursday.
He mentioned: “The unhappy incident happened on January 14, 2024. The communal conflict between two communities could be very worrying and shouldn’t be repeated once more. We have been informed that the dying of an Oturpo-Ojile man whereas coming back from a visit led to reprisals by his individuals in Ochi-Ibadan village, whom they accused of inflicting the dying of their son. Greater than 70 homes and lots of properties in Ochi-Ibadan have been burned to the bottom.
“We should commend the Commissioner of Police who went to this group for on-site evaluation and the Kogi State Authorities led by Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the swift response. We pray that such communal conflict doesn’t occur once more in our nation.”
He, nevertheless, appealed to the Kogi State Emergency Administration Company to right away present reduction supplies to all affected victims of the conflict.
When contacted, state police spokesperson SP William Aya confirmed the incident. He mentioned Peter and one other individual have been killed by a mob motion following a communal conflict between Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan villages after Peter was killed.
In keeping with him, “thirty homes have been razed to the bottom, whereas a number of properties have been destroyed.”
He mentioned the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, had visited the 2 communities as normalcy had been restored.
