Benue and Cross River States have once again been plunged into conflict following the resurgence of a deadly communal clash along their shared border, leading to the brutal killing of a commercial driver, Agage Iorkyaa Ternenge.
The violence erupted between the Mbazarem community of Benue State and the Abonkip community of Cross River State, reigniting a long-standing land dispute that has persisted over the years.
The crisis claimed the life of Ternenge, a native of Mbanyam in Mbatyough Council Ward, Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. He was reportedly on a routine trip to deliver a waybill in Obudu, Cross River State, when he was intercepted by suspected Abonkip youths.
Tragically, he was attacked and stoned to death in Obudu Township. A disturbing video of the lynching has since gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and deep concern.
According to reports, the renewed hostilities began on Friday, July 18, 2025, when fresh gunfire was reported from the Abonkip side of the disputed borderland. The Chairman of Vandeikya LGA, Hon. Dennis Guda, confirmed the incident through a statement issued by his media aide, Gbaa Nguuma, on Sunday.
He explained that he had promptly mobilised the local security outfit, Anyam Nyor, along with state security operatives, to the flashpoint for a fact-finding and peace-keeping mission.
Upon arrival at the conflict zone, the team encountered active gunfire, and Chairman Guda narrowly escaped being struck by bullets. While touring the affected areas, he observed large-scale destruction of crops valued in millions of naira on the Mbazarem side.
The destruction was reportedly carried out by Abonkip youths in what was described as a retaliatory attack for the alleged earlier destruction of their own farmlands.
The violence soon escalated beyond the border areas. By the following day, armed groups were reportedly parading the streets of Obudu Township, targeting Tiv residents of Benue origin, including students, traders, and other settlers. Many of the victims were students at the Federal College of Education, Obudu, and the School of Nursing.
In response, Chairman Guda led a courageous rescue operation, collaborating with security agencies to evacuate Benue indigenes from Obudu. Many sought refuge at the Obudu Central Police Station before being safely transported out of the volatile area. The evacuation exercise spanned from the night of July 18 to the evening of July 19, ensuring the safety of several stranded residents.
To prevent a retaliatory spiral of violence, Guda also facilitated the safe return of Obudu residents who were living in sensitive parts of Vandeikya LGA, ensuring they were properly handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in Obudu.
A joint security meeting was then held in the forest area involving officers from the Nigeria Police, military personnel, and the DPOs of both Vandeikya and Obudu LGAs. Both communities were admonished to embrace peace and allow for governmental mediation. The initial peace dialogue concluded around 4:00 PM that day.
Despite these efforts, the peace was short-lived. Security reports indicated that hostilities resumed shortly after the chairman’s delegation left the area.
The Mbazarem community accused Abonkip youths of violating the ‘Bush Peace Accord’ by resuming indiscriminate shooting. The renewed violence persisted until around 7:00 PM, forcing Chairman Guda to relocate to Tsar, Mbaduku, to avert further escalation.
Confirming the tragic killing of Agage Ternenge, Chairman Guda expressed deep sorrow over the driver’s death, emphasizing that Ternenge had only travelled to Obudu to deliver goods from Gboko when he was attacked and killed in cold blood by Abonkip youths.
In a plea for calm, Guda disclosed that he and his counterpart from Obudu LGA were already engaged in talks to de-escalate the situation and seek a lasting resolution to the dispute.
The spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the developments, stating that both local government chairmen had indeed met and taken steps to address the conflict.
“Yes, I am aware that the chairmen of the two local government areas have met and resolved the crisis,” Edet affirmed.
The latest unrest serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by unresolved boundary disputes between neighbouring states in Nigeria, where disputes over land frequently escalate into violent confrontations, resulting in loss of lives, displacement, and destruction of livelihoods.