The Police have arrested 22 persons linked to violent clash between two communities in Benue that left over 30 houses, vehicle, motorcycle and food stuff burnt in the early hours of Thursday.

The Benue State Police Commissioner, CP Cletus Nwadiaogu, visited the communities along Guma and Tarka local govt areas, for on-the-spot assessment where several residents have been displaced.

The visit of the Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu and the subsequent detachment of two units of Police Mobile Forces to Apa mbakor community in Tarka Local Government Area which borders Agasha community in Guma Local govt has further doused tensions. The Commissioner of Police, who met with the traditional ruler in the areas, council chairman of Tarka and Deputy chairman of Guma Local council, as well as angry youths, to find out the actual cause of the incidents, expressed worries over the scale of destruction, though, no life was lost. He said that whatever the issue, it could have be solved through dialogue, and warned both communities against any further reprisal attacks.

The deputy chairman of Guma Local government councils who was on ground over incidence narrated the main the cause of the incidence saying all effort are in place to end hostilities with the help of the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies.

The chairman of Tarka local government council told the Commissioner of Police that the matter could have been resolved amicably. He blamed the traditional ruler for not acting fast to resolve the issue before the youths went berserk however. He promised to work with his counterpart for peace to reign.

Meanwhile the arrested suspected arsonist are in police custody; the CP assured they will be prosecuted.