Two killed, several injured in Kwara communal clash
By Sukari Mohammed
Two people have reportedly lost their lives following a conflict that broke out between Ndeji and Lema communities in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident, which happened in the early hours of Thursday, also left seven people injured.
Eyewitnesses told The Informant247 that the conflict, which was triggered by a farmland dispute, began with an attack on the Chief Imam of Ndeji by some individuals allegedly from the Lema community.
The conflict escalated further when the attackers began shooting at those who came to rescue the Chief Imam, resulting in the tragic deaths of two people and injuries to seven others.
The injured individuals were quickly taken to Lafiagi General Hospital for treatment and have since been transferred to Ilorin for further medical care.
Alhaji Mohammed, a student at Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, and Aliyu Hussain were the two people who lost their lives.
Other victims injured in the incident include Suleiman Osama, Mohammed Saidu, Abdullahi Ahmed, Mohammed Alhaji, Musa Abubakar, Aliyu Abdullahi, and Abdullahi Shuaibu.
An eyewitness, Ahmed Ndeji, confirmed to The Informant247 that the clash between the communities has been ongoing for over a decade.
“The dispute primarily revolves around land ownership and boundaries between the two communities. The case was brought to court and dragged on for nine years before a ruling was made,” he said. “The court had ordered both communities to stay within their designated farmlands and not encroach on the remaining disputed land.”
He further claimed that after the death of the former Emir of Lafiagi, the new Emir, Alhaji Muhammad Kudu Kawu, requested that the case be withdrawn from the court and brought to his palace for further deliberation.
“Since then, the case has been ongoing in the palace, with both communities,” he added.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Police Command, DSP Adetoun, said the command is not aware of the incident.
She, however, promised to get back once she confirms the details.
