Dennis Okpe Ijoko, the traditional ruler of Ochoro in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, has been killed and many of his subjects are said to be missing, following an attack by suspected armed militia on Ochoro community.
Two communities, Bonta in Konshisha Local Government Area and their neighboring Ukpute, in Oju Local Government Area have been at war with each other over boundary.
The perennial boundary dispute has defied all known solutions initiated by government and community leaders.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi on Friday, July 23, 2021, the community leaders led by Chief Joseph Agbaga and Chief Godwin Udanyi, who spoke on behalf of Ukpute community, said the attacked Ochoro community is an Igede speaking community but the boundary demarcation placed it in Konshisha, a Tiv local government area. They said the attack left many people missing, who are yet to be found.
The Ukpute community, who are also an Igede speaking tribe, stated that God did not make a mistake by placing them side by side with Tiv people and called on Governor Samuel Ortom to settle the boundary dispute for everlasting peace to reign among the farming communities.
They said their only means of livelihood is farming but since they have been sacked from their ancestral home and their houses destroyed, the people cannot go to farm and are exposed to all kinds of sickness and hunger.
“We call for a re-demarcation of the disputed boundary, guarantee of safety of Internally Displaced Persons IDPs who want to return home and assistance to help them rebuild their destroyed houses,” Ukpute community leaders said.
As at press time, there was no response from the police spokesperson on the matter, as she did not take calls or reply to messages sent to her.
Source: The Nation
