A devastating communal clash between the Mbakine and Ojumole communities in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State has left a trail of destruction, claiming over 15 lives and displacing countless residents. The conflict, which erupted over the weekend of May 30 to June 1, 2025, has once again highlighted the fragility of peace in Nigeria’s volatile Middle Belt region, where ethnic and communal tensions can spiral into deadly violence over seemingly trivial disputes.
A Spark Ignites a Firestorm
The violence reportedly began with a minor altercation at a local market, where two youths—one from the Igede ethnic group and the other from the Tiv community—clashed over the purchase of an orange. What could have been a fleeting disagreement escalated rapidly, drawing in members of both communities. By the end of the weekend, the dispute had spiraled into a full-blown communal crisis, with armed groups engaging in retaliatory attacks that left villages in ruins and families shattered.
According to local sources, the clash resulted in the destruction of over 200 houses in Ojumole alone, with property worth millions of naira reduced to ashes. Farmlands, livestock, and personal belongings were also destroyed, leaving many residents homeless and without livelihoods. The scale of destruction has shocked locals, who note that the Igede and Tiv communities have coexisted peacefully in the region for over a century, making this outbreak of violence particularly jarring.
A Cry for Help
Andyson Egbodo, President of the Igede Youth Council, described the situation as “harrowing” and “heart-wrenching.” In a passionate plea for intervention, Egbodo called on Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to take immediate action to quell the violence and prevent further loss of life. “This is not the Benue we know,” Egbodo said in a statement. “These are brothers and sisters who have lived together for generations. We cannot allow a disagreement over something as small as an orange to tear us apart.”
Egbodo’s call for peace reflects the broader sentiment among community leaders, who are grappling with the challenge of restoring calm in the face of escalating tensions. The violence in Mbakine and Ojumole is not an isolated incident but part of a broader wave of insecurity that swept through Benue State over the same weekend. Reports indicate that 61 people were killed across three local government areas, including 46 deaths attributed to suspected herdsmen attacks in Apa and Gwer West LGAs. The convergence of communal clashes and external attacks has stretched local authorities thin, raising fears of a deepening crisis.
Police Response and Ongoing Efforts
The Benue State Police Command, through its spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the Mbakine-Ojumole clash and assured the public that tactical teams have been deployed to restore order. “We are on top of the situation,” Edet stated, though he refrained from providing specific casualty figures or details on arrests. The deployment of police forces, including specialized units, underscores the severity of the crisis and the urgency of preventing further escalation.
However, locals remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures, citing a history of slow responses to communal violence in the region. Many residents have fled their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring communities or makeshift camps, while others remain on edge, fearing reprisal attacks. The destruction of homes and farmlands has compounded the humanitarian toll, with urgent needs for food, shelter, and medical assistance emerging in the affected areas.
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