COMMERCIAL DRIVER KILLED AS BENUE-CROSS RIVER BORDER CLASHES ESCALATE OVER LAND DISPUTE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A commercial driver, Agage Iorkyaa Ternenge, has been brutally killed amid renewed violence in a longstanding land dispute between Mbazarem community in Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State and the Abonkip community in Obudu LGA of Cross River State.

Ternenge, a native of Mbanyam in Mbatyough Council Ward, Vandeikya LGA, was reportedly lynched on Friday, July 18, 2025, in Obudu Township while delivering a waybill. A disturbing video circulating on social media shows a group of hoodlums stoning him to death.

The incident is believed to be linked to heightened tensions and reprisal attacks following renewed gunfire allegedly initiated by Abonkip youths. According to Vandeikya LGA Chairman, Dennis Guda, the violence flared up early Friday morning in the disputed border area.

In a statement issued on Sunday through his media aide, Gbaa Nguuma, Guda said he narrowly escaped gunfire while leading a joint security team, including the local vigilante group Anyam Nyor, to the conflict zone for peacekeeping and fact-finding.

“Upon arrival, the Chairman and his team confirmed that gunshots were being fired. Despite the danger, he observed widespread destruction of farmlands on the Mbazarem side reportedly a reprisal for earlier damage to Abonkip farmlands,” the statement read.

The conflict further intensified on Saturday, with reports of armed Abonkip youths parading the streets of Obudu and allegedly targeting Tiv residents from Benue State. Many of those affected were students at the Federal College of Education and the School of Nursing, along with traders and other business owners.

In response, Guda led a night-long rescue operation with support from security agencies, safely evacuating Benue indigenes who had sought refuge at the Obudu Central Police Station.

To prevent retaliatory violence, Guda also arranged for the evacuation of Obudu residents from volatile areas in Vandeikya, handing them over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Obudu.

Tragically, during the unrest, Ternenge was attacked and killed in Obudu Township. His death, Guda confirmed, was at the hands of Abonkip youths.

Efforts to de-escalate the situation led to a joint security meeting involving officers from the Nigeria Police, military, and DPOs of both affected LGAs. Both communities were urged to maintain peace while their respective local governments work toward a lasting resolution.

Speaking on the situation, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that chairmen from both LGAs had met to discuss and resolve the crisis.

“Yes, I am aware that the chairmen of the two local government areas have met and resolved the crisis,” Edet stated.

Chairman Guda has appealed for calm while assuring that dialogue with his Obudu counterpart is ongoing to find a sustainable path to peace.