One dead, house razed in Ebonyi communal clash

A communal clash between the people of Omege Agalagu and Ukwuinyima in Ikwo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State has left one person dead, many houses razed, and several others injured.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Chikadibia Okpor, said the state government is aware of the incident and is making efforts to control the crisis.

He stated, “It was a misunderstanding between two youths from the villages you mentioned that degenerated into a free-for-all fight and resulted in the unfortunate incident.”

Collaborating with the state government, the Ebonyi Police Command spokesperson, ASP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed that one person was killed in the incident and added that the crisis has been brought under control.

He explained that two youths from the two communities had a confrontation, and one of them, from Omege, was stabbed and later died in the hospital. His death led to members of his community attacking Ukwuinyima and burning down some mud houses with thatch roofs.

Ukandu noted that the police mobilised to stop further damage and emphasized that the crisis has been curtailed.

He also confirmed that the person who stabbed the victim has been arrested.

A source in the community, speaking confidentially to The Guardian, revealed that the crisis stemmed from a fight in November 2024 when a woman, allegedly raped and killed, was buried.

“More than 10 houses and properties worth millions of naira have been burnt to ashes, and the government needs to take action,” the source said.