A communal clash between Itale and Ishi communities in the Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State has claimed two lives, while several property were set ablaze during the violence.

In a statement on Thursday, police spokesperson, Afusat Saliu, said the incident occurred at about 7:04 a.m. on May 6, 2026.

“The Kogi State Police Command wishes to inform the public that on 6th May, 2026, at about 0704hrs, the Divisional Police Officer, Ibaji, received a distress call reporting that a communal disturbance had erupted between Itale and Ishi communities in the Ibaji Local Government Area.

“On receipt of the information, the command promptly mobilised a joint operations team comprising Police operatives, Naval personnel, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), and the Kogi State Vigilance Service (KSVS) to the area,” Ms Saliu said.

She said the police immediately deployed a joint operations team comprising police operatives, naval personnel, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), and the Kogi State Vigilance Service (KSVS) to the area.

According to her, security operatives met a tense situation, with several buildings and agricultural produce, including bags of rice, already set ablaze by suspected youths from Itale community.

She added that the joint team swiftly dispersed the hoodlums and restored normalcy.

“However, two male corpses were recovered from different locations within the Ishi community,” Ms Saliu aid.

Ms Saliu added that another victim sustained a gunshot injury from a pump-action rifle and was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Idah, for treatment. 

“Additionally, fifty-seven (57) rounds of expended cartridges were recovered from the scene,” she said.

Ms Saliu said security operatives continued surveillance in the area, adding that suspects had been identified from both communities in connection with the incident.

Those identified include Stephen Enema, Isaac Enedubi, Alex Attah and Eneje Idah from Itale community, as well as Stephen Amegwu, Shederach Alone and Friday Onal from Ishi community.

The police urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue to support security agencies with credible intelligence.