By Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi, and Kolade Adeyemi, Jos
Four persons have been reported killed by suspected militiamen in the Okokolo, Akpopogolo area of Ado council of Benue State.
The assailants were said to have come from Ngbo in Ebonyi State.
Council chair James Oche told our correspondent yesterday that the deceased comprised a woman and her three young children who were killed in their house, adding that the house was also burnt by the attackers.
Oche said Ngbo and Akpopogolo border communities have been at loggerheads for a long time.
“We have always experienced this guerilla attack, and have always cried out that there should be police presence in the area. The military and other security agencies have been overstretched.
“The Ebonyi government has established a police post and we are appealing to Benue State government to do the same,” he said.
Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) Brigadier-General Clement Afere confirmed the attack, saying it was a reprisal attack.
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In Jos, the Plateau State capital, security agents, on Monday, averted a potential major clash between Hausa and other residents in the Naraguta area of the city.
Ten persons were reported injured in a skirmish.
A local source said the Hausa residents of Naraguta found on Monday morning that a road was being diverted to a Muslim cemetery in the community and tried to stop those making the diversion.
The source said the road was being dug to channel off water beside the cemetery.
Ward councilor Yusuf Ali said the Hausa residents thought the diversion would lead to encroachment on the cemetery, and tried to stop it.
A fight ensued and 10 persons were seriously injured, he said.
Troops of Operation Safe Haven arrived in time to quell the clash, it was said.
Council authorities “summoned the two groups to a meeting where it was amicably resolved,” Ali said.
Police spokesman Gabriel Ubah said he was “aware of the incident but yet to get full details.”
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