Communal Clash in Edo State. Scores confirmed!

A communal clash between Uneme-Ekpedo and Bekuma-Okpameri communities, Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo state, have allegedly claimed two lives, several houses razed. Following the clash, thousands of residents have reportedly abandoned the Bekuma-Okpameri community and are now taking refuge at a makeshift camp for Internally Displaced Person (IDP) in Lampese, a neighbouring community, following a clash between .‎ It was gathered that trouble started when four people from Uneme-Ekpedo community who were said to have gone to the bush to pluck mangoes, we’re attacked by persons suspected to be members of Bekuma-Okpameri community, and one of them killed.

Irked by incident, youths from Uneme-Ekpedo community allegedly mobilised and attacked Bekuma-Okpameri, setting houses on fire and attacking residents. It was gathered that over 40 houses including the palace of the Oba of Bekuma-Okpameri, HRH Oba Moses Alabi, were set on fire by the rampaging youths. It was further gathered that scores of people, who were wounded are now receiving medical treatment at hospitals and the IDP camp. A source in the area who spoke to journalists on phone, said, “As I’m talking to you now, there is nobody in Bekuma-Okpameri. It was unbelievable. The youths have completely sacked the community and residents are now camped in Lampesem.”

He said from the information available to them, the persons who committed the crime that led to the arson on the Bekuma-Okpameri was neither an indigene of Bekuma-Okpameri nor from any of the Okpameri communities. When contacted on phone, Edo State police commissioner, Mr. Chris Ezike, while confirming the incident, said that five police teams have been dispatched to the affected communities to unravel the cause of the trouble and to arrest the perpetrators. ‎

He added that an assistant commissioner of police visited the communities on Friday and held talks with the two traditional rulers.

Will give more updates...