By Peter Duru

MAKURDI – Over 30 houses, including economic trees and farm produce, valued at over N200 million were, weekend, burnt when  youths of Mbayangeh and Mbashine communities clashed over a disputed land at Ikpayongo in Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State.

Vanguard gathered that there had been a long-standing disagreement between the communities over the land.

However, the communities took up arms against each other few days ago, after leaders of one of the communities allegedly gave out the disputed land to a federal lawmaker for the construction of a private school.

An eyewitness said: “It is a known fact that the two communities have been fighting over ownership of the land in question. So, it came as a surprise when we learnt that the said disputed land had been given out by one of the contending parties to a lawmaker, who wants to construct a school on it.

“That singular act sparked angry reaction from Mbashine community, which mobilised to resist the move. It provoked a counter-reaction from their neighbours. This led to the use of dangerous weapons in the ensuing fighting.”

The source added that “the fighting lasted several hours before the police came to restore law and order. But at the last count, over 30 houses had been burnt, economic trees destroyed. Farm produce were not speared by the warring parties.”
The eyewitness said no life was lost in the crisis, but that so many people have been displaced with no shelter and food.

Vanguard gathered that the Benue State Police Command deployed men to the troubled communities to ensure the restoration of peace.