Seventeen people have reportedly lost their lives in renewed hostilities between the Bassa Kwomu and Egbura Mozum, in Bassa local government, Kogi State.
It was on Tuesday gathered that the crisis which started in April, took another turn, when alleged Bassa militias invaded Mozum in the early hours of Monday morning, but where were repelled by the youths from Mozum community.
The militias were said to have later returned around 4pm, where they were engaged by youths of the community, leading to the loss of many lives.
Settlements around Ketechi, Ojoh and environs, where the militias were stationed before launching the alleged attack on Mozum, were deserted for fear of invasion.
Those that fled are said to be currently taking refuge at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Oguma.
A prince from the Mozum community resident at Oguma, Shaibu Abubakar, was allegedly killed at Oguma, while returning from a fishing expedition.
Confirming the development, the member representing Bassa Constituency at the Kogi State house of assembly, Hon. Sunday Shigaba, said that the killings were going on unabated.
He however said that efforts were being made to restore normalcy to the affected areas.
He appealed to the law enforcement agencies to send reinforcement, to beef up security, adding that the military and police on ground were inadequate, to curtail the situation.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Ali Janga, in a reaction, said there was no killings going on in Bassa.
He advised โthose spreading the false informationโ to desist from falsehood.
