Rear Admiral Onubi’s House, 140 Others Razed in Ibaji

The one-storey building residence of Rear Admiral Jerry Onubi was among the over 140 houses touched last Thursday during a communal clash over disputed land and fish ponds in the community.

One of the affected victims who lost his four-bedroom apartment to the arsonists, Mr. Jacob Apeh told our correspondent how the attackers from the neighbouring of Itale, Iru and Abuaga communities sacked Aluaja.

The retired Deputy Director (News), Kogi Radio, said the incident has rendered the entire people of Aluaja homeless.

He said that his people fled their homes to take refuge in other towns and villages in Ibaji.

“My house is next to the primary school, my brother’s house is number one, followed by my own, all have been destroyed.

“They vandalized our houses before setting then ablaze. More than 100 modern buildings were destroyed,” he lamented.

According to a source close to the community, there has been occasional clashes between the two factions over the ownership of land and fishing ponds since 2013.

According to the source, the latest clash occurred when one Gabriel Ejima who was shot and killed at Aluaja in April this year was brought home for burial.

He added: “It was this that led to the latest clash that led to the burning of almost all the houses in Aluaja.

“Aluaja people were overpowered by a combined effort of Itale, Iru and Abujaga attackers”.

The traditional ruler of Aluaja community, Chief Ben Akoji said that the matter has since been reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Onyedega, the headquarters of Ibaji local government and the paramount chief of the local government, Chief John Egwemi.

He said that though no life was lost in the clash, it has however rendered the entire people of the area homeless.

The traditional ruler of appealed to the Kogi State government and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to the aid of the community.