A tragic loss of life was reported yesterday as the ongoing territorial disagreement between the Ijiegu-Yache community from Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State and Mbaaka community from Konshisha Local Government Area in Benue State escalated. The conflict, primarily between young individuals, resulted in seven fatalities and has taken a total of 10 lives since its commencement on Sunday.
The violent confrontation has led to the destruction of at least 15 homes as the youth from these communities clash. Reports indicate that 10 individuals, including women from both communities, have been injured, some severely by machetes.
This enduring dispute, which has resulted in significant loss of life and property, has left many people hospitalized over the years. Augustine Adula, a community leader in Yache, disclosed to Vanguard that the conflict erupted during a church service.
Adula narrated: “A group of our young individuals sought to understand why the Tiv settlers had stopped paying the usual royalties for residing on our lands. In response, the Tiv individuals detained one of our youths, assaulted him, resulting in his death. This obviously incited a violent backlash. However, they were ready for this and launched an attack that killed seven of our people and destroyed 15 homes.”
Leonard Anyogo, Secretary of Yala and Cross River North Elders Forum, confirmed the unfortunate violence. Anyogo revealed that deputy governors from both states had previously made peace appeals in the community as they worked on resolving the issue. He stressed that the land in question historically belonged to Yache, and was previously the boundary between the Southern and Northern Protectorates.
Anyogo also confirmed that the state government and security forces have intervened in the situation. State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, verified the incident and asserted that officers have been sent to the area to help restore peace. Ugbo appealed for calm, emphasizing that violence will not resolve the issue, and only through peaceful dialogue will a solution be found.
