Many killed, scores abducted as Benue intercommunal crisis resumes

A yet to be specified number of people have been killed with many others taken hostage following a renewed hostility between Bonta community of Konshisha and Okpute community of Oju local government areas of Benue State.

A source from one of the warring communities disclosed to KemiFilaniNews correspondent that many houses were also razed down.

The source who craved anonymity said the renewed hostility was also a result of a fresh onslaught against the Tiv speaking community of Bonta by some mercenaries allegedly hired by their Igede speaking neighbouring community, Okpute.

He said; “Yesterday, a peasant farmer Oraduen Tseeneke from Bonta was beheaded on his farm at Tse Dio by people alleged to be hired mercenaries from Okpute. They also took an elderly man, Mkari alive who up till now we have not heard anything about him.
Not only that, Tse Dio was razed down by fire and more than 17 houses were burnt to ashes same yesterday. Another young man Terngu Kyado was also shot and he is battling for his life as we speak. Later in the day, there was a yet to be confirmed report that some women were abducted by the same people.”

He said that fighting was still ongoing.

“It might interest you to know that as I am talking to you now, there is still a serious gun battle going on between the two communities. Well, I can’t actually tell what is going on in Okpute because I am not from that axis, but believe me when I tell you that they might also be suffering from this crisis too,” the source said.

He called on the relevant authorities to as a matter of urgency rise up and restore peace in the warring communities.

“I want to call on our representatives at all levels and the state government in particular to as a matter of urgency, do something to arrest this situation so while they look for a way to bring a lasting peace between the two communities,” he said.

Recall that in April the Nigerian military invaded Konshisha local government bombing Bonta, Adoka, Gungul, Agidi and many other towns/villages in the Shangev Tiev axis. Tens of unarmed civilians were reportedly killed with properties worth millions of nairas destroyed.

However, the Nigerian army denied the bombardment.

The then Army spokesperson, Mohammed Yerima, said one officer and 10 soldiers were ambushed and killed in Konshisha.