The Alago Ikweyi Gbayi Development Union (AIGDU) in Nasarawa State, has called for an urgent delineation of the boundary between Nasarawa and Benue States in order to avert crisis over land ownership between the two neighbouring states.
The group’s position was contained in a statement jointly signed by its president, Mohammed Oshafu and publicity secretary, Hassan Ozegya and made available to journalists yesterday in Lafia.
It said the call has become imperative in view of the recent claims by the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, during President Bola Tinibu’s visit to Benue State over the recent attacks on Yelwata, a boundary between Nasarawa and Benue states.
It described as false claims by the Tor Tiv that the Tiv people were dispossessed of their ancestral lands in the Keana, Obi and Awe in Nasarawa State, insisting that Tiv people have no ancestral land in Nasarawa.
The group, while distancing itself from the unfortunate killings in Yelwata, also laid claim to the community, saying the Alagos (Alagon Omere) owned Yelwata before being joined by Gwandara, and later, Tiv.
“The area is part of Keana local government area of Nasarawa State. Apart from colonial and other modern-day records, recent Google maps also confirmed that Yelwata is in Nasarawa State as originally demarcated.
“While this claim is not controvertible, our position is not in support of crisis and killings in our land that had peacefully welcomed all Nigerians and foreigners alike to settle peacefully and together with our people and pursue their daily quests for livelihood in harmony,” it said.
It said the Tiv people do not have any ancestral land in the Keana, Obi, and Awe local government areas of Nasarawa State, stating that the Alago founders of Keana and Obi LGAs are the ancestors and owners of the lands.
“Keana was established in 1232 AD and had its territory stretched up to the North Bank of Makurdi. It was the colonial administration that reduced Keana territory down to in-between Daudu and Yelwata,” it explained.
It noted that a boundary delineation would enable the authorities and inhabitants of the two states to know the specific points and extent of their respective jurisdictions for administrative, political, economic, and allied roles in order to avert further infringements on the peace, security, and safety of the people in the area and the nation at large.
While commiserating with the families of the deceased, associates and other Nigerians who were caught in the sad incident in Yelwata, the group commended President Tinubu for his timely intervention and his condolence visit to assess the situation.
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