The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has invited the Clan Heads and Chiefs of Ijegu community and Tiv neighbors to a meeting in his office to sign a peace accord.
Hon Odey issued the invitation in a meeting with his counterpart from Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Sam Ode, at Ijegu, Yache community in Yala LGA, Northern Senatorial District, south south Nigeria.
The Deputy Governor who led a high-powered delegation to the community where a recent communal clash with their neighboring Benue State community has tragically resulted in the loss of a life, expressed deep regret for the needless loss of life.
Accompanied by key officials including the State Surveyor-General, State Security Advisers, Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, and Permanent Secretary, Exco Chamber and Conflict, Rt. Hon. Odey said it was sad that his inaugural visit to his kinsmen following his election victory was marked by mourning instead of celebration.
In his address, Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr. Sam Ode, said “I have come to extend a hand of fellowship and friendship to the people of Yache,” while conveying the greetings of the Benue State Governor and emphasized the paramount importance of peace.
He said his Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has directed him to inform Yala people that all of the Benue people who are remotely or directly involved in this crisis will be identified, be fished out and punished.
According to him, the government would do everything possible to provide solace to communities affected by the loss of lives and property.
Dr. Ode said that the situation was not a dispute over land ownership, but rather a tragic incident stemming from a confrontation between an Ijegu community member and Tiv neighbors who were cultivating the land where their confrontation led to a loss of life.
At the residence of Senator Steve Odey, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr. Ini Johnson, and Senator Steve Odey, briefed the deputy governor of their already made concerted efforts to mediate peace in the community before the arrival of security agencies.
In a prepared address, the Clan Head of Maa Clan, Mohie Isaac Omaji, said that the perpetrators of this tragic event should face the full weight of the law.
He said that this was not a communal clash but a landlord-tenant disagreement.
“The Tiv tenants, who had previously issued threats and engaged in violent acts against members of the Ijegu community, orchestrated the crisis in an attempt to seize the land,” he said.
While requesting enhanced security presence in the vicinity, immediate apprehension of those responsible, Omaji, urged the government to facilitate a peaceful resolution.
The Clan head also announced that the community would no longer consider the land for separate settlement, but instead embrace cohabitation with their Tiv neighbors to foster social integration.
On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Yala, His Royal Majesty, Amb. Ogamode Onah Ipuole, said Yala’s traditional rulers had been diligent in maintaining law and order.
The monarch who spoke through a representative called on the Benue State Government to also engage their traditional rulers in efforts to restore peace between the two communities.
He said he was happy for the timely visit of the Deputy Governors and the palliative contributions they made to the community.