Conflict between Muslims and Christians in Ihumwonde Local Government area Benin City Edo State.
The literature on religious violence in Ihunwonde LG of Edo State largely implicates socio-economic, political and governance deficits as the major causes of such violence, but could that be the actual case? .
This article, however, departing from the underlying causes approach, undertakes an analytical inquiry into the immediate and visible factors that trigger religious conflicts in the Local Government Area . It also evaluates the nature of death rate and of state management of religious conflicts in the state and posits that government’s haphazard approach to these conflicts as well as the absence of a long-term strategy for its management account for their persistent manifestation.
Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee “unprecedented levels of violence” in Ihumwonde LG due to the massive death rate.
Drawing from the findings made, recommendations on the appropriate approach to curbing religious violence in the state are proffered.
Religion could serve, and has indeed served as an instrument of social harmony in many civilisations. Paradoxically, however, it has also served as a motivation for violence, hence its indication in some literature as a ‘double-edged sword’.
The war between these two religions has immensely called the attention of the state governor and some authorised personnel such the state IG to reconciliation and some music stars got to intervene due to unending death rate.
Some eyewitnesses have testified that the reason for the conflict is unknown and they found no tangible motives for the sudden conflict between these two religions
Spiral of violence
Ikpoba Okha resident spokesman told the media that five people had been killed and six injured
Two cars at the centre roundabout were torched, police and the attack is the latest in a spiral of sectarian violence that has seen many Christians and Muslims living in Ihuwonde LG flee their homes.
Some news channels and broadcasting service in Benin City said the latest violence started in Benin on Monday when a group attacked a mosque, leaving 10 people injured.
Then, in Ikpobaokha, the local government area before Ihumwonde, youths attacked a church. Police made 19 arrests, our reporter says.
Back in Benin on Tuesday, a mosque and Islamic centre were attacked and set alight in a different area from Monday’s attack. Police told the media that 10 people had been arrested.
A group of youths tried to attack a Hausa community leader’s house but it was defended by Hausa youths and the police then intervened.
The IG of Edo state was questioned about the on going recommendations in order to put an end to the conflict
He said the police has been doing very well in settling violence issues in the state, and that this time they will ensure they add extra measures and technology to settle the conflict between these two religions
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