The unresolved conflict between residents of the Ishi and Itale communities in Ibaji Local Council of Kogi State, yesterday, exploded as the people engaged in renewed violence.

Violent hostilities, reportedly resumed on Wednesday afternoon, have led to the death of an undisclosed number of residents.

A number of residential houses were reportedly razed in the violence, which lasted 24 hours before the intervention of the police anti-riot squad deployed from the Idah Area Command.

There has been an age-long internecine feud between residents of the communities over farmland and fishing ponds.

Video clips in circulation on social media indicated that the level of violence this time is far more devastating than previous ones.

A source disclosed that Ishi village was completely razed, with no houses left standing, adding: “Women and children had to flee to neighbouring villages to take refuge in primary schools and churches.”

The violence, it was learnt, escalated yesterday, as mercenaries were brought in by one of the communities to fight their enemies.

At press time, there were strong indications that the violence had extended to neighbouring villages due to suspicion that the communities were hosting their ‘enemies’.

There are also heightened fears that Aluaja residents were planning to attack the Iru people.