Communal war kills 9, destroys houses, palace in Kogi

No fewer than nine residents have been killed and several houses, including the palace of the Ohiagba of Ebira Mozum in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, were burnt down in a clash between the people of Bassa Komu and Ebira Mozum communities.

It was learnt on Friday that the violence between the two communities was a result of the killing of a palm wine tapper and a farmer on Monday.

A community source who spoke to newsmen said the Ebira Mozum community was invaded on Thursday afternoon and the incident left nine dead and the traditional ruler’s palace and several other houses burnt down.

The invaders were reportedly on a shooting spree for about three hours in Udogbo, a Bassa community, in the early hours of Thursday, which caused some residents to panic and flee.

A resident who identified himself as Malam Yaro said that the Thursday violence was an offshoot of last week’s crisis which claimed casualties on both sides.

Meanwhile, the police command in the state is yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.