Five killed, several missing as herdsmen and peasant farmers clash over destruction of crops in Kogi community

At least five people have been reportedly k!lled, with several others declared missing or injured following a violent clash involving herdsmen and peasant farmers at Ejule-Ojebe community in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State

The incident started on Saturday when suspected herdsmen allegedly k!lled a man on his way to the farm over alleged lingering issues bothering on destruction of farm crops in the area.

Locals reported that the news of the killing of the farmer triggered a violent clash that lasted for two days, as the villagers mobilised against the suspected k!ller herdsmen when the news hit the community.

“While on the trail of the suspected killers of the farmer on Saturday, the corpse of a woman was found along a farm path. Two other lifeless bodies of some residents were found on Sunday in the community.

The d3ath of the fifth person, Suleiman, on Sunday, is still confusing everyone. His k!llers trailed him from the embattled Ejule-Ojebe community in Ibaji to a village at the Ibaji-Idah border and k!lled him, as he just returned from a farm.

“As a result of the situation, several residents have relocated to safer communities to avoid being caught up in the evolving bloody crisis.

“Several households are still taking stock of their relatives;  for now, five residents have been confirmed killed in the crisis; yet several others are still missing,” said Omachonu, a resident of Ejule-Ojebe community.

Consequently, the ensued hostility led to a mass exodus of herdsmen from the Ibaji community towards Oforachi, Ikpokawo and Odolu axis of the neighbouring Igala-Mela/ Odolu Local Government Area on Monday.

The Deputy Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, representing Ibaji State Constituency of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba, confirmed the incident.

According to him, the violent clashes at Ejule Ojebe, parts of Ibaji Local Government Area in the state, resulted in “tragic loss of lives”