Following the alleged murder of two middle-aged men, Jonathan Ogah and Gabriel Ogodo, by suspected Tiv youths in the Ulam community of Gwer East LGA, tension has reportedly been increasing between the Igede-speaking communities of Oju and Obi LGAs in Benue State and their neighbouring Tiv communities in Gwer East and Konshisha LGAs….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
According to The Vanguard, the victims, both from Oju LGA and close friends—one of whom had only recently married—were said to have been ambushed and killed on Monday while travelling on motorbikes along the Oju-Awajir road on their way to Makurdi. The incident reportedly escalated tension in the neighbourhood when their remains were retrieved and carried back home, forcing many travellers, including students from the College of Education in Oju, to avoid the typically bustling Oju-Aliade road.
Sources noted that the Tiv and Igede-speaking populations had long been locked in a protracted dispute over farmland ownership—a conflict that has resisted resolution despite efforts by successive state administrations. Governor Hyacinth Alia responded to the killings by issuing a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, condemning the murder of the two men and denouncing a separate attack on Nyifon community in Mbaikyongo Ward of Buruku LGA, which was allegedly carried out by youths from Mbayaka community in Kusuv, also within Buruku LGA, after a dispute that was allegedly sparked by a boat accident. The governor reportedly ordered security forces a 48-hour ultimatum to find and apprehend individuals involved for both crimes.
He condemned the crimes as sad and unjustified, adding that no individual or organisation had the right to invade another community or do harm under any condition. According to the statement, Governor Alia directed security operatives to liaise with traditional rulers in the affected areas, thoroughly comb the vicinities, and bring the perpetrators to justice within the stipulated timeframe. He emphasised that while the state had begun experiencing a measure of security stability, his administration would not accept any attempts—regardless of status or intent—to foment violence or break the quiet. He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to protecting people and property and urged all communities in the state to maintain composure and adherence to the law while the appropriate authorities conducted their investigations….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
