A renewed communal conflict between Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State and Vandiekya Local Government Area of Benue State has claimed at least two lives. The violence erupted on Friday after reports emerged that two farmers from Abonkib and Atiekpe villages in Obudu were allegedly attacked and murdered on their farmlands by individuals identified as Tiv natives. Shockingly, their bodies were allegedly taken away by the attackers. Captured Militant and Heightened Tensions An insider source disclosed that an armed Tiv militant, believed to be a mercenary, was captured within the bush during the chaos. He was found in possession of firearms and local charms. The suspect was initially held at the Obudu Police Station but was later transferred under police escort to Vandeikya in Benue State. The same source reported further escalation in Obudu town, where two Tiv men, who were reportedly going about their daily hustle, fell victim to mob action. These men were gruesomely beheaded and dismembered by angry youths. A third individual narrowly escaped death but sustained life-threatening injuries. Longstanding Conflict and Ineffective Peace Efforts This deadly clash is a continuation of a protracted land and boundary dispute between the two communities, often marred by cycles of vengeance and reprisal attacks. Security interventions were initiated with the deployment of soldiers from the Utanga community in Obanliku Local Government Area. However, military presence has not sufficiently restored peace, as palpable tension persists across both territories. Moreover, a recent peace parley held on Wednesday between the chairmen of Obudu and Vandiekya LGAs, alongside security personnel, seemingly lacked representation from any State Government official. The source lamented that without state-level intervention, these meetings may yield limited results, mostly ending in communiques without concrete action. Police Silence on the Incident Attempts to get an official comment from the Benue State Police Command spokesperson proved futile, as several calls to her mobile line were unanswered at the time of filing this report.
