3 killed as heavy drinking causes communal clash in Benue

Excessive drinking on Tuesday reportedly led to the death of three persons, the injury of several persons and many houses burnt in a communal clash at Feedi, a suburb of Makurdi Benue State capital.

The incident, according to eyewitness was said to have been caused by two young men of different ethnic groups who were said to have started drinking since 10am till 6pm on Monday before an argument ensued between them which snowballed into heavy destruction.

As at the time Nigerian Tribune visited the troubled area located opposite Air Force Base, Makurdi on Tuesday, no fewer than 40 houses were burnt and several properties destroyed.

It was reliably gathered that the two young men who are of Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups engaged in an argument at the Feedi Market after several hours of drinking; the argument later triggered crisis which led to the death three persons.

The crisis lasted till early hours of Tuesday.

As at the time the governor Samuel Ortom visited the troubled area about 12 noon on Tuesday gunshots rented the air.

Locals who spoke to Nigerian Tribune said that one dead body was found around riverine area Monday night while two other corpses were found early Tuesday.

Makurdi local government sole administrator, Mr Luke Ahor told Nigerian Tribune that “The crisis started from a drinking joint where the youths had gathered since 10am.”

The council boss further said that one person identified as Tsegba Terver was killed while five persons were injured and taken to an undisclosed hospital.

“I learnt that it started from argument between a Tiv man and Jukun man which snowballed into a crisis around 6pm. The people fought till early hours of today and they went around burning houses.”

 

The traditional ruler of Makurdi, Chief Sule Abenga who also volunteered words said, “I heard information yesterday night that Jukun and and Tiv were fighting. Immediately I reached out to security agencies.

“It started with little quarrel of youths and snowballed into burning down of houses belonging to Tiv people allegedly to have been carried out by Jukuns.”

The state commissioner of police, Mr Bashir Makama said that only one person was killed, many houses were burnt down and added that 17 persons have been arrested.

He stated that more policemen have been drafted to the area to beef up security. “You all can see the number of our men drafted here; with the look of things normalcy has returned.”

The police boss said that the destruction affected both sides and added that investigation was on to unravel the actual cause of the crisis.

Governor Samuel. Ortom who visited the community to assess the destruction said it was “unfortunate to hear that the crisis started between two young men at drinking joint.”

While calling on the fleeing residents to return home, the governor said that normalcy has returned and he called on the people not to take law into their hands, saying, “two wrongs cannot make a right.”