A renewed fighting over land among Tse-Sho village along the Makurdi-Gboko highway in Benue State has claimed two lives.
The clash started at about 1:00 am on Thursday and provoked youths of the area who blocked the busy road for hours, leaving many travellers stranded in the process.
According to a villager, apart from the two killed, three others were abducted.
Benue State Police spokesman, SP Catherine Anene, however, said only one person was abducted.
She said, “On 22/9//2022 at about 0730hrs, information was received that aggrieved youths of Tse-Sho village blocked Makurdi-Gboko road. A team of police detectives deployed in the area gathered from eyewitnesses that, on the same date at about 0130hrs, armed men suspected to be a disputing group in a lingering land dispute invaded the community and burnt down some houses. They also abducted three (3) persons in the community and took them to an unknown destination.
“Recall that there has been disagreement between two parties tagged “Settlers and indigenes” within the area. Series of interventions by the police and the Benue State Government brought about the peace that has been enjoyed in the last two years before this renewed attack. However, members of the community are advised to remain calm and await findings from the ongoing investigation.
“After a successful deliberation with the youths, the blockade on the road has been removed while investigation is ongoing to rescue persons abducted and to arrest perpetrators of this act.”
Anene added that the state Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, assured members of the Tse-Sho community of his commitment to ensure that justice prevails in this case.
The CP also urged the youth to provide useful information to the police for ease of investigation.
