Benue: Tor Tiv Intervenes in Ugambe/Mbaiase Crisis, Urges Govt to Complete Boundary Demarcation

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Paramount Ruler of the Tiv nation, Orcivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, has given traditional rulers of the Ugambe and Mbaiase communities in Shangev Tiev and Masev of Konshisha and Gwer East Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, two days to flush out militias and hired killers from their domains to pave the way for lasting peace.

Tor Tiv issued the ultimatum while addressing traditional rulers of the affected LGAs alongside their council chairmen at his palace in Gboko LGA.

After listening to the leaders, who blamed the crisis on land disputes, the monarch cautioned traditional rulers, especially village heads, against harbouring hired killers who have been terrorizing the communities and prolonging the conflict.

He urged them to embrace the spirit of love and peaceful coexistence practiced by their forefathers, noting that the abandonment of such values had opened the door for needless disputes that escalated into violence, destruction of property, and loss of lives.

The monarch directed the two Mue Ter of Shangev Tiev and Masev to ensure that those behind the killings and violence are expelled from the areas.

Tor Tiv further called on the state government to urgently complete the boundary demarcation between Ugambe and Mbaiase to foster unity and ensure permanent peace, stressing that the prolonged conflict had plunged the area into poverty.

He also commended the relentless efforts of the two local government chairmen, as well as the First and Second Class Chiefs, for their commitment to restoring peace, urging them not to relent.

In their remarks, the Chairmen of Konshisha and Gwer East, Moses Chikyaa and Timothy Adi, alongside Tor Jechira, Tor Gwer, Chief Julius Aondona, and Chief Edward Ujege, praised the wisdom of Tor Tiv for intervening in the protracted crisis, which they said had resisted previous solutions.

They assured the monarch of their readiness to abide by his directive to achieve the much-desired peace and stability in the troubled communities.