Benue community urges action as ownership of fish pond divides 2 communities

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

The Egba community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, has expressed concerns at the renewed tensions with neighbouring Ologba community over the ownership of a disputed pond.

The community is appealing to the state government to enforce the original boundary ruling to prevent further escalation of the crisis currently brewing in the communities.

Our correspondent reports that the conflict dates back to over five decades.

Speaking to newsmen on the crisis, a representative of the Egba community, Mr. Ikpa Amadu, recalled that the dispute was first settled in 1972 when an area court under the then Benue-Plateau administration visited the site and established a boundary at Idogo area.

He stated that according to the ruling, land east of Idogo was allocated to the Egba people, while the western portion was designated for the Ologba community. 

Mr Amadu explained that the arrangement had prevented further disputes until recent years, when some individuals from Ologba accused the Egba of forging court documents to claim ownership of the pond.

In 2024, a new judgement was delivered in favour of Ologba, which he argued, failed to take into account the earlier ruling. 

“What is disturbing the community now is that these people are planning to use the military to enforce the judgement, which I think is not good,” Mr Amadu said.

He urged the local government chairman to advise against taking the law into their own hands, noting that another case concerning the matter is still pending in court. 

He, on behalf of the Egba community, appealed to the Benue State Government to intervene, stressing that the dispute has already led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

Mr Amadu noted that while the issue has heightened tensions in the area, community leaders have urged residents to remain calm and allow justice to prevail. 

He said: “There has not been any physical molestation of anyone from the opposing communities. What we are saying is that there are two judgments in place now and we have to be careful in handling the issue rather than using force. We want fairness, not violence.

“We are calling for the state government to enforce the original boundary ruling and ensure that neither side trespasses beyond agreed limits, in order to prevent further escalation of the crisis.”