Violence has broken out between residents of Mbaiase in Gwer East LGA and Igbinde village in Konshisha LGA of Benue state, resulting in the burning of houses and destruction of properties.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reports that the attack occurred around 9:30am on Saturday.
It was allegedly stoked by suspected militias from the Mbaiase community, who stormed Igbinde village in the Mbagusa/Mbatser council Ward of Konshisha.
The publication said several thatched houses were set ablaze during the assault and valuable property was destroyed.
Although the damage was extensive, no casualties were recorded, according to the report.
The paper added that troops of operation Whirl Stroke, alongside other security agencies, have been deployed to the area in response to the violence to restore calm and prevent further escalation.
The report added that stakeholders from both local government areas, including traditional rulers and council chairpersons, have been contacted to initiate dialogue and find a lasting solution to the long-standing communal tension.
It further noted that confidence-building patrols and monitoring operations are underway in the affected area to ensure residents’ safety and forestall reprisal attacks.
The latest violence adds to the growing list of communal conflicts plaguing Benue state, where land disputes and boundary disagreements have often turned deadly.
