Suspected militias have reportedly razed over 50 houses belonging to the Egbura in Sheria, Landu, Ankura and Oguma in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State on Christmas Day.
According to The Nation, six persons were reportedly killed at Bassa-Komo community by suspected Egbura indigenes.
In a statement yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, Vice Chairman of Mozum Concern Youth Advocacy, Hamzat Mohammed, said there were sporadic shootings during the attack, forcing many residents to flee for safety.
The activist accused suspected Bassa-Komo militia of carrying out the attack, despite the government’s effort at bringing peace between the Egbura and Bassa Komo in the local government area.
He regretted that the situation had deteriorated, saying the police might have been complicit in the incident.
Mohammed bemoaned the action of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who he said allegedly gave excuses when the houses in Biroko were under attack.
He said: “The DPO, who could not arrest anyone, claimed that only a few houses were burnt, whereas over 50 houses belonging to the Egbura were burnt by suspected Bassa-Komo militia.
“Before now, the same DPO gave unconvincing excuses when the remaining houses in Biroko were burnt and destroyed for four days. We are, therefore, worried that this act could be accomplished unrestricted and in full glare of the DPO, being the chief security officer of the area, and the Aguma of Bassa-Komo, who doubles as the chairman of Bassa Traditional Council, without any arrest.”
The activist hailed Governor Yahaya Bello for setting up of a judicial commission of enquiry on the crisis.
He called for full implementation of the report, adding that the government should urgently resettle those affected.
But the Chairman of Bassa Cultural Development Union (BCDU), Samuel Nyizona, debunked the allegations.
He said several houses were burnt by suspected militia allegedly loyal to the Egbura in Kebe, Kwomo District, which allegedly led to the death of six persons.
Nyizona added: “As I speak, six people have been confirmed dead. This attack was carried out by the Egbura. We were surprised when some group in military uniform stormed Bassa-Komo community and attacked our people. They are not military men but dressed in a military uniform.
“Two persons are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.”
Nyizona urged the government and security agencies to help the affected persons.
The community leader noted that the crisis between the communities had lingered for two long.
The Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Good Governance and Due Process, Ademu Ibrahim, who confirmed the attack in Egbura community, said the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
He said when he contacted the DPO, he was told that some houses were razed by suspected hoodlums.
The governor’s aide said the government would end the crisis.
Also, the Sole Administrator of Bassa Local Government Area, Samuel Alumka, said he had not received any report on the attack in the area.
Efforts to confirm with the police were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesman William Aya could not be reached for comment.