Five people have been killed and five others injured following a clash between residents and herdsmen in Gbiniyiri and nearby communities in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District.
Two of the victims have already been buried in Sawla, while the remaining three bodies have been deposited at the morgue of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Hospital.
The injured persons are currently receiving treatment at various health facilities.
Reports stated that the violence erupted after a resident was reportedly killed during a robbery attack in the area. Relatives of the deceased are said to have carried out reprisal attacks against herdsmen suspected of involvement in the robbery.
Sources further indicated that the incident is unrelated to the recent communal conflict in the area that previously claimed several lives and displaced many residents.
Confirming the incident, the District Chief Executive for the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, Senitina Saaka, said the violence was believed to have been triggered by a robbery in one of the suburbs, where a victim was killed after resisting attackers in the bush.
According to her, the killing provoked retaliatory attacks by relatives of the deceased, escalating into the clashes that resulted in multiple casualties.
She added that security in the area has since been intensified while investigations are ongoing to apprehend those responsible.
