A fight broke out between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic nationalities in Benue yesterday, leaving many houses burnt.
The incident occurred just about 12 hours after Benue Governor Samuel Ortom and his Taraba State counterpart, Dairus Ishaku, launched a book in Wukari, Taraba State, for the promotion of peace among residents of both states.
Abinsi, where the clash took place, is on the busy Makurdi-Gboko Federal highway, near the bank of River Benue in Guma Local Government Area.
Eyewitness revealed that 15 houses belonging to both sides had been razed.
The violence, which began at 6:30pm, was said to have started among suspected cult groups but later turned to an ethnic clash between both ethnic groups.
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Ortom and Ishaku, on Wednesday, launched a book at the Federal University of Wukari in Taraba State to promote peace between residents of both states.
While the to state governors are making efforts to sustain inter-ethnic peace, the bloody crisis at Abinsi raised the question whether the two groups are ready for peace.
The clash caused a traffic gridlock on the busy Makurdi Federal highway, with passengers having to wait for police intervention.
Omololu Bishi, the new Police Commissioner in the state, was said to be mobilising his men to bring the situation under control.