Seventeen people have died in renewed hostilities between the Bassa Kwomu and Egbura Mozum in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
It was gathered that the crisis, which started in April, took another turn yesterday when alleged Bassa militias invaded Mozum on Monday, but were repelled by Mozum youths.
The militias returned about 4pm for a reprisal which led to so many deaths.
Settlements around Ketechi, Ojoh and environs, where the militias were stationed before attacking Mozum, were deserted for fear of invasion. They are said to be taking refuge at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Oguma.
A prince from the Mozum community resident at Oguma, Shaibu Abubakar, was allegedly killed while returning from a fishing expedition.
The lawmaker representing Bassa in the House of Assembly, Sunday Shigaba, said the killings were going on unabated. He, however, said efforts were being made to restore normalcy.
Shigaba appealed to law enforcement agencies to send reinforcement to calm the situation as those around were not enough.
Commissioner of Police Ali Janga, however, said there were no killings in Bassa.
He advised “those spreading the false information” to desist from falsehood.