Two Killed, 40 Houses Razed Down as Communities Clash Over Mango

Peeved by the killing of one of them over the plucking of mangoes, youths from one community were said to have mobilized and attacked another community setting houses ablaze.

Following a communal clash which erupted in Edo State, two persons have been killed and 40 houses razed down, The Nation reports.

The Uneme-Ekpedo and Bekuma-Okpameri communities in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the State clashed on Wednesday  after some members quarrelled over a mango tree.

It was gathered that four persons from Uneme-Ekpedo community went to a bush to pluck mangoes, but one of them was killed by youths from Bekuma-Okpameri community, who claimed the mango tree belonged to them.

Peeved by the killing, youths from Uneme-Ekpedo were said to have mobilized and attacked Bekuma-Okpameri and set houses ablaze.

The palace of the traditional ruler of Bekuma-Okpameri, HRH Moses Alabi, was also torched by the rampaging youths.

Persons injured in the attacked are now receiving treatment at an emergency camp at Lampese, a neighboring community.

A source said, “As I am talking to you, there is nobody in Bekuma-Okpameri. It was unbelievable. The youths have completely sacked the community and residents are now camped in Lampese.”

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, confirmed the incident and said a fact-finding police team has been sent to the community to arrest the perpetrators.

Ezike added that the police held talks with the two traditional rulers.