At least two people were critically injured and dozens houses razed during clashes between the Tivs and Jukuns on Wednesday.
The crisis was triggered by the ownership tussle of a fish pond between the two communities.
The incident occured at a riverside beside a rice mill around a New Bridge at Wurukum in Makurdi, Benue state capital was triggered by a
Rampaging youths also reportedly burnt the palace of a traditional ruler who escaped by the whiskers.
Chairman of Makurdi local government, Anthony Dyegeh, said that two people were injured.
Dyegah said, “The problem is because of the small river beside Rice Mill down the New Bridge, Wurukum; that river which is separated from the main river. You know it’s a fish pond and every year, people fish from there and get a lot of money.
“So, it is the cause of the crisis today. But no life was lost. Two persons were injured. The mother of one of the injured persons is even from the Tiv side.
“Some houses were also burnt. The traditional ruler’s house was also torched. That is the situation. But we are here with men of the Nigerian Army, police, Civil Defense and other security agencies.”
He said the situation had been put under control, and said security operatives were at the time of this report, trying to meet and resolve the crisis.
The chairman said, “We have called for a meeting between the two communities. We are waiting for the traditional ruler from the Tiv side who ran to an undisclosed location after his house was torched.
“So, we are waiting for him to come so that we can discuss and bring back peace in the area. The situation is calm in the area right now. As I speak with you, we are deliberating.
“The Chief from the Jukun side, Chief Nuhu, is also here and we are waiting for the Chief from the Tiv side to come so that we can discuss with the youths.
“We have asked each side to bring five youths each so that we can discuss with them. Afterwards, we will ask them to continue with the peace while we schedule for a meeting whereby traditional rulers and stakeholders of the Tiv and Jukun in Makurdi will sit together and then discuss to see how they can continue to relate harmoniously again.”
The spokesperson of the Benue Police Command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident without giving details.
