One feared dead as Benue–Cross River land dispute escalates

Tensions have flared once again in the long-standing land dispute between Mbazerem community in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State and Abonkip in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, leaving one person dead and property destroyed.

The latest crisis reportedly began on Friday, after Abonkip youths allegedly encroached on land belonging to the Mbazerem community—an act that violated previous boundary agreements between the two states.

According to local sources, the invading youths destroyed farmlands, crops, and economic trees valued at millions of Naira, sparking outrage and retaliation from the Benue side.

In the ensuing melee, gunshots were fired by both sides.

In retaliation, it was alleged that a commercial driver of Tiv extraction was alleged waylaid on Obudu-Tsar Road and killed.

The Nation learnt that the crisis has been brought under control by the local governments ‘chairmen chairmen from Obudu and Vandeikya.

Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government Area, Dennis Guda confirmed the incident.

The Area Police Command said they had deployed anti riots squad to the troubled areas, and the situation had been brought under control.