Two killed, over 70 houses burnt in Kogi communal clash

No fewer than two people have been killed while more than 70 houses were set ablaze in a communal clash between two communities in Kogi State. The communities involved in the communal clash are Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan under the Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.

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

Aggrieved by the death of their son, some youths from Oturpo-Ojile, in reprisal, went straight to Ochi-Ibadan and allegedly burnt down over 70 houses.

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

He said, “The sad incident occurred on January 14, 2024. The communal clash between two communities is very worrisome and should not repeat itself. We were informed that the death of one man from Oturpo-Ojile while returning from a journey led to a reprisal by his people in Ochi-Ibadan village, who they accused of having caused the death of their son. Over 70 houses and many properties in Ochi-Ibadan were burnt down.

“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. We are praying that such a communal clash will not happen in our land again.”

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

SP William Aya, the spokesman for the state police command, confirmed the incident. He said Peter and one other person were killed by a mob action following a communal clash between Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan villages after Peter was killed.

According to him, “Thirty houses were razed while several properties were destroyed.”

Aya said that Bethrand Onuoha, the state Commissioner of Police, had visited the two communities, and normalcy had been restored.