A group, the Igede Consultative Forum (ICF), has called for Governor Hyacinth Alia’s intervention to resolve the long-standing boundary dispute between the Bonta Community in Konshisha local government area and Ukpute in Oju local government area of Benue State.
In a statement, the ICF, a prominent pressure group comprising Igede elites and academics, lamented that the conflict has persisted despite numerous efforts by successive administrations to achieve a resolution.
According to the forum chairman, Okpe Onah and the secretary, Sam Ekirigwe, who signed the statement, both communities witnessed over two years of continuous hostilities, which severely disrupted economic and social activities in the affected areas, resulting in significant loss of lives and properties.
They commended the current efforts of the state governor, who initiated the demarcation of the boundary between the two communities in a bid to achieve lasting peace but stated that despite a truce signed on July 18, 2024, in the office of the commissioner of police, Benue State Command, an unprovoked attack occurred the following day, July 19, 2024.
This attack, according to them, by the Bonta Militia on the Ochoro and Ukpute communities led to further loss of lives and properties, displacing residents from their ancestral homes and creating a humanitarian crisis in the Oju local government area.
The ICF appealed to the Benue State government to hold the perpetrators accountable.
The statement reads, in part, “We call on the government not to be deterred by this unfortunate incident but to continue with the boundary demarcation exercise between the two communities to establish lasting peace in this part of the state.
“We also call on the traditional rulers and community leaders to prevail on their subjects to cease further hostilities to allow hitch-free boundary demarcation.
“The forum further appeals to the government to station a security post in the buffer area. We also appeal to the government to aid the displaced people of Ochoro and Ukpute communities with relief materials to cushion the effects of hunger and harsh weather conditions, especially for women and children.”
