Several homes were burnt down as people ran away from their villages after a new fight broke out between two communities in Gwer East and Konshisha Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State.

Reports say the incident happened over the weekend and is part of an ongoing conflict between the two areas. The fight has been happening off and on for the past three months due to old disputes.

A local source, who didn’t want to be named, said that the trouble started when the Mbaiase community in Masev (Gwer East) attacked the Gbinde community in Mbagusa, Mbatser, Shangev-Tiev (Konshisha). The source added that the attack was done in revenge.

The media assistant to the Konshisha LGA chairman, Terhide Fave, confirmed the incident. He said the attack took place on Saturday evening and caused serious damage to many homes and properties.

Fave also said that no lives were lost in the attack, but the damage caused many families to flee to nearby villages to stay safe.

“People have left the area. Many houses were set on fire, but we don’t know the exact number yet,” he said.

The Chairman of Konshisha LGA, Terfa Moses Chikyaa, went to visit the affected area. He strongly condemned the attack and told the people not to fight back.

He also said the state government will do all it can to catch those who started the violence and make sure they are punished.

Attempts to speak with the police spokesperson in Benue State, CSP Catherine Anene, were not successful. Calls to her phone were not answered.