Judul : Benue, C’River land dispute claims driver
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Benue, C’River land dispute claims driver
A commercial driver identified as Agage Iorkyaa Ternenge
was reported to have been killed at a border community of Vandeikya and
Obudu Local Government Areas of Benue and Cross River states.
It was gathered that the deceased, who hailed from Mbanyam in Mbatyough Council Ward of Vandeikya LGA of Benue State, a commercial driver, was said to be going to deliver a waybill to someone in Obudu in Cross River State when he was attacked and stoned to death.
In a trending video on social media, some hoodlums were seen stoning the driver to death.
Our correspondent learnt that there had been a lingering land dispute between the people of Mbazarem and Abonkip of Benue and Cross River states which resurfaced last Friday.
According to the chairman of Vandeikya LGA of Benue State, Dennis Kuda, there was a renewed crisis last Friday over the disputed land where some youths, said to hail from Abonkip, were shooting sporadically.
Kuda, in a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Gbaa Nguuma, explained that he mobilised the state security operatives to the scene and that he escaped being shot by the whiskers.
The statement read partly, “On the morning of Friday, July 18, 2025, reports emerged from the Mbazarem community concerning renewed gunfire allegedly coming from the Abonkip side of the disputed borderland. In a swift response, Guda mobilised the local security outfit Anyam Nyor, alongside other security personnel, and proceeded to the disputed area for a fact-finding and peace-keeping mission.
“Upon arrival, the chairman and his team confirmed that gunshots were being fired. Disturbingly, the chairman himself had some gunshots aimed at his direction. Despite the danger, he moved across the area, where he observed large-scale destruction of crops worth millions of naira on the Mbazarem side, a reprisal by Abonkip youths who claimed their farmlands were earlier destroyed.”
The chairman further said the crisis escalated the following day alleging that armed groups were sighted parading the streets of Obudu, targeting Benue indigenes.
The chairman added that with the support of security operatives, they were able to evacuate Benue indigenes, mostly students and traders, to the state.
The Vandekiya chairman further said he also arranged for the safe return of Obudu indigenes residing in volatile areas of the local government and handed them over to the DPO of Obudu.
“A joint security meeting was immediately convened in the bush involving officers from the Nigeria Police, military, and the DPOs of both Vandeikya and Obudu. Both communities were urged to embrace peace and allow their local governments to resolve the conflict amicably. This initial peace engagement concluded by 4:00 PM.
“However, according to security reports, hostilities resumed shortly after the chairman departed the area. The Mbazarem community accused Abonkip youths of violating the agreed “Bush Peace Accord” by resuming indiscriminate shooting. The violence intensified until about 7:00 PM, prompting the Chairman to relocate to Tsar, Mbaduku, to prevent further escalation.
“In a tragic turn of events, violence spilled from the forest into Obudu Township. Abonkip youths reportedly began attacking Tiv residents of Benue origin.
“Armed groups were seen parading the streets of Obudu, targeting Benue indigenes many of whom are students at the Federal College of Education (which runs degree programs) and the School of Nursing, as well as traders and business people.
“In response, Chairman Guda courageously led a security-backed rescue mission into Obudu. He supervised the evacuation of Benue indigenes, students and others, many of whom had sought refuge at the Obudu Central Police Station. The evacuation effort lasted from the night of July 18 to the evening hours of July 19, 2025.”
He also said to prevent retaliatory violence, the chairman arranged for the safe return of Obudu indigenes residing in volatile areas of Vandeikya, handing them over to the DPO of Obudu.
“Sadly, it has been confirmed that Agage Iorkyaa Ternenge, a commercial driver who plied the Obudu–Gboko route, was lynched by Abonkip youths in Obudu Township. He had gone to deliver a waybill from Gboko when he was attacked and killed in cold blood”, the statement read in parts.
While calling for calm, Kuda stated that he and his Obudu counterpart were already meeting to resolve the crisis.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, Udeme Edet, said the two chairmen were meeting to resolve the crisis.
“Yes, I am aware that the chairmen of the two local government areas have met and resolved the crisis,” Edet said.
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