At least one person reportedly died after warring family members clashed on an inherited farmland at Kopkopshe Village in Loham ward of Tunkus district of Mikang local government area of Plateau State.
LEADERSHIP learnt that members of the family had been at loggerhead for over two years over who inherits the farmland.
Media aide to the Chairman of the Council, Mr Nkat Joseph Lakai confirmed the sad development in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos.
Nkat said the Council Chairman, Dr. Benard Soepding Alkali, has visited Kopkopshe Village in Loham Ward of Tunkus District to assess the level of damage caused by the land dispute, which resulted in one death and destruction of properties.
The statement added that during the visit, Alkali strongly condemned the violence, describing it as unnecessary and unacceptable.
He emphasised that such conflicts undermine his administration’s efforts to foster peace and unity among the four ethnic groups in the council.
The chairman expressed dismay over the conflict and assured the community that the government has taken prompt measures to prevent further escalation.
Alkali extended condolences to the deceased’s family, urging them not to take vengeance or the law into their hands, assuring that the security agencies were carrying out investigations to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
“It’s shameful that while the government is committed to protecting our lands from external forces and land grabbers, we are also fighting and killing ourselves over land. This will frustrate government efforts, as when brothers fight over land, a stranger inherit,” he said.
The chairman encouraged the people of Kopkopshe village to live in harmony and peace, emphasising that God did not make mistakes by bringing them together.
He further appealed to the community leaders as well as key stakeholders from the community to initiate dialogue and work towards an amicable resolution of the dispute,
He also offered food items and cash to the affected community, and promised to engage relevant authorities to ensure the provision of more relief materials to the victims.
Meanwhile, the son of the deceased, Mr. Felix Bagen, shared a harrowing account of the incident, detailing how his father was brutally killed over the land dispute.
He explained that the conflict had been ongoing for five years, with a pending court case.
Bagen urged government to come to their rescue by taking ownership of the land until the law decides otherwise.
For his part, a community leader, Mr. Saty Woldut, appreciated the chairman for his visit and assured him of peaceful coexistence in the community.
Leader of the Mikang legislative arm and councillor representing Luham ward, Long Lalin, also urged community leaders to engage their youths to warn against taking actions that would further disrupt the peace enjoyed for decades.
