Mr Peter Odey, Deputy Governor of Cross River, has sued for peace in the conflict between the people of Ijegu, Yache Ward in Yala Local Government Area with their neighbors in Benue.
Odey made the appeal on Thursday when he led a delegation to the community where a recent communal clash with their neighbors from Benue led to the death of one person.
On July 26, during plenary in the Cross River House of Assembly, Odey Wonah, Member Representing Yala 1 State Constituency, moved a motion for the deployment of security operatives to restore peace in Yache following hostilities over land.
The Deputy Governor in company with the Deputy Governor of Benue, Dr. Sam Ode regretted the needless loss of life while sympathizing with the family of the deceased and those who lost property.
He pledged to return to the community to celebrate prosperity and not to mourn while assuring that the bereaved family would receive government support.
He invited the Clan Heads and Chiefs of the affected communities to a meeting in his office to sign a peace accord while advising community members to avoid the conflict zone until the peace accord was ratified.
“I promise the approval of a security vote to cover for the deployment of additional personnel to the communities, this is to assure you of the state government’s commitment to ending hostilities here.
In his address, Ode, his counterpart from Benue conveyed the greetings of his principal while emphasizing the importance of peace.
The deputy governor expressed disappointment over the unfortunate situation between both communities noting that both communities had historically coexisted as brothers and sisters.
He explained that the situation was not a dispute over land ownership, but rather an incident stemming from a confrontation between an Ijegu community member in Cross River and his Tiv neighbors who were cultivating on the land.
“The Governor of Benue has directed me to inform you that all of our people who were remotely or directly involved in this crisis will be identified, fished out and punished.
“I have come to extend a hand of fellowship and friendship to the people of Yache, the government of Benue will do everything possible to provide solace to communities affected by the loss of lives and property,” he said.
On his part, HRM Ogamode Ipuole, Paramount Ruler of Yala conveyed his gratitude to the dignitaries for the timely visit and palliative to the community.
He noted that traditional rulers in Yala had been diligent in maintaining law and order and urged the government of Benue to also engage their traditional rulers in efforts to restore peace between the two communities.
