COMMUNAL CLASHES: BENUE DEPUTY GOVERNOR CALLS FOR JOINT PEACE COMMITTEES

State Boundary Committee to Start Border Demarcation Soon

Thursday, June 13, 2024

To foster peaceful co-existence among Benue communities and neighboring states, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, has urged local government council caretakers, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders to establish Joint Peace Committees. These committees aim to address ongoing border land disputes.

Dr. Ode, who also chairs the Benue State Boundary Committee, made this call on Tuesday during an emergency meeting with caretakers, traditional rulers, and stakeholders from Gwer-East, Guma, Makurdi, Otukpo, Ohimini, Kwande, Konshisha, Oju, and Vandeikya local government areas. The meeting took place at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi.

Expressing optimism, Dr. Ode stated that the creation of Joint Peace Committees "will encourage transborder cooperation and prevent issues that could escalate and lead to law and order breakdown." He emphasized that peace-making is not solely a government responsibility and urged all stakeholders to work towards sustainable peace in border communities.

Dr. Ode also revealed that the government has set plans in motion to begin demarcating lands in crisis-prone border areas, stressing the importance of harmonious living among communities. "Boundary lines are for administrative convenience and should not be seen as barriers between neighboring communities," he noted.

Hon. Barr. Martins Shaagee, Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Solid Minerals, highlighted in his opening remarks that the meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss peaceful co-existence and to "chart a way forward to end border conflicts in the state."

Caretaker Chairmen of Konshisha, Gwer-East, and Otukpo Local Government Councils—Hon. Philip Achuah, Hon. Comfort Agbo, and Hon. Dr. Wilson Eche respectively—praised Governor Hyacinth Alia and Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode for their peace efforts and committed to promoting the peace message in their regions.

In their speeches, Ter Kunav HRH Nyiyongo Achiaku, Ter Gwer HRH Chief Dominic Akpe, and the Adotu of Oju Chief Daniel Ulegede, stated that demarcating border corridors is the only permanent solution to land disputes in the state.

Ior Ikyereve

Deputy Chief Press Secretary  

Office of the Deputy Governor  

Benue State