A violent confrontation erupted between the Ezza community in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State and the neighbouring Effium community from Ebonyi State, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and multiple injuries.
The longstanding conflict between both communities resurfaced on Saturday around 2:30 p.m., when heavily armed individuals, believed to be from Effium, launched a sudden assault on the Ezza community.
A local resident, who requested anonymity, recounted that the attack came without warning while residents were engaged in their daily activities.
According to him, “Effium attackers from nearby Ebonyi stormed the Ezza community and opened fire indiscriminately. It was completely unprovoked and especially heartbreaking considering it happened during the Easter celebration.”
He further disclosed that in addition to the six reported fatalities, several people sustained injuries, while women and children were forced to abandon their homes in fear.
“The attackers are still in the area as I speak, firing shots and looting people’s belongings and food items,” he added.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, were not successful as of the time of filing this report.
