BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Federal Government has expressed its resolve to permanently put an end to the lingering land crisis between Benue and Ebonyi states.
The government restated its position at Monday’s closed door meeting between Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe over land crisis
Insiders at the meeting hinted that the Vice President was clear on the Federal Government’s determination that senseless killings, bloodletting and sheer criminality among border communities in the country would no loner be tolerated.
The meeting, attended by Acting Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Adaji Adamu, however charged the governments and people of both states to maintain peace and order as the Federal Government seeks lasting solutions to the land problem.
Governor Ortom, who spoke to State House correspondents after the meeting, said: “We came at the instance of the Vice President to discuss the lingering problem between Benue and Ebonyi states, in particular between Agila in Benue and Ngbo in Ebonyi.
“We are also here with the acting DG, National Boundary Commission and we have taken far reaching decisions to ensure we demarcate the boundary between these two states so that we can hold our people responsible.
“As it is now, it’s difficult to identify the criminals who are creating tension and creating more of these problems.”
According to Governor Ortom; “So, I believe that very soon, the boundary commission will come out with a programme to enable Benue and Ebonyi team up and provide the necessary logistics and security to ensure that the boundary is demarcated.
“Well, it’s a border crisis because we are talking about two states. We should know the limits of each state. It’s a border problem more like a communal problem.”
On Tiv/Jukun crisis, he said: “Well, I know that there is a spillover. This is largely Tiv and Jukum in Taraba State. I have Jukun in Benue State. We are not fighting. There were issues in the past and I decided to set up a judicial commission of enquiry, which is still sitting to look at the remote and immediate causes of this strife so that we can find a solution to it.
“This other one is more of a problem in Taraba, but because there are Tiv people in Benue and we are talking about Tiv people, so each time people are displaced, some run back to Benue, so that’s the spirit of it.
“But I think Taraba State governor is doing well. Recently they met and agreed that there should be ceasefire. Although I saw in the press that there were some issues with that peace agreement, you know each time there are efforts to try to solve problems, criminals will come in and I think that the steps the governor took by inviting two sides, both the Tiv and the Jukum to sit together and find means of how they can resolve this matter, is the best approach.
“I believe that once that problem is sorted out in Taraba State, we will not have anything in Benue State.”
