Prince, 16 others feared dead in Kogi communal clash

AT least 17 people, including a prince of Mozum community were said to have been killed following communal clashes between the Bassa Kwomu and Egbura Mozum ethic groups in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi.

The hostilities between the two ethnic groups which started early in the year were said to have heightened as militias from one of the communities were said to have sparked another attack

It was gathered that crisis assumed a more dangerous dimension as the Bassa militias allegedly invaded Mozum in the early hours of Monday were repelled by the youths from Mozum community.

But the militias were later around 4 pm said to have stormed Mozum community again and engaged in fierce fighting by the youths of the community, leading to the loss of many lives.

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The development had made villages around the community to be deserted as villagers scampered for safety.

Residents of settlements around Ketechi, Ojoh and environs, from where the militias were stationed before launching the attack on Mozum were said to have fled the area for fear of being invaded.

It was also learnt that those who fled their communities as a result of the crisis were currently taking refuge at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Oguma.

Among those said to have been hit by the bullet of the attackers was a prince from Mozum community resident at Oguma, Shaibu Abubakar, who was killed at Oguma while returning from a fishing expedition.

Confirming the development, the member representing Bassa state constituency at the state House of Assembly, Hon Sunday Shigaba, said killings were still ongoing as it had not abated.

He, however, said concerted efforts were being made to restore normalcy to the affected communities.

The lawmaker appealed to the law enforcement agencies to send more re-enforcement so as to beef up security, adding that the military and police on ground were not adequate to tackle the situation.

But in his reaction, the state commissioner of police, Mr Ali Janga, denied the development, saying there were no killings in Bassa local government.

He described the news as false, expressing the readiness of the command to deal with those spreading the information.