Reports of a crisis between parts of the Mbakor and Nongov communities in Benue State have emerged, with accounts of property destruction and heightened tension in the affected areas. According to information shared by a concerned stakeholder, Comrd Abeen Doc, the conflict allegedly began when a deceased man from Nongov was to be buried on a plot of land he had legally purchased in Mbakor. Some members of the Mbakor community reportedly resisted the burial and destroyed the grave, an act said to have provoked a violent reprisal by some Nongov youths. The reprisal allegedly led to the destruction of houses, looting of property, and damage to students’ lodges in the area.
In a separate post, Ahura Philips claimed that Akpa Mbazeku in Mbakor, Tarka Local Government Area, had been severely affected, with reports of shooting, burning of households and widespread destruction extending towards Tse Ashwe and Asukunya. Images circulating with the posts show burnt buildings and individuals who appear injured.
Comrd Abeen Doc strongly condemned the alleged destruction of the grave, the retaliatory attacks and every act of violence that has caused pain and hardship to innocent residents, particularly students who have become victims of the unrest. He appealed to both communities to embrace peace, exercise restraint and allow dialogue and reconciliation to prevail. He also urged relevant authorities to act swiftly to restore law and order, conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable in accordance with the law.
Furthermore, he called on security agencies to intervene immediately to prevent further escalation and protect lives and property, stressing that violence has never been, and will never be, the solution to communal disputes. The stakeholder, writing from Tyogbenda Ameladu Ipav in Gboko Local Government Area as a concerned member of CTS Worldwide, emphasised the need for calm while the matter is addressed.
