Benue govt intervenes in decades-long dispute over river ownership in Guma

The Benue State Government has issued a directive to two communities in the Guma Local Government Area (LGA) to refrain from accessing the disputed River Antse.

According to the report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Unyande and Kwenev communities have been embroiled in a conflict over the ownership of the river for the past three decades, resulting in numerous casualties.

Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security (Internal Affairs), conveyed the order in Makurdi following a meeting with the LGA leaders on Sunday.

Har explained that the state government took this action based on an intelligence report suggesting a potential escalation of tensions in the area, with the conflict posing a risk of evolving into a full-scale communal crisis.

The dispute revolves around ownership claims between the Iyharev people of Unyande and Ngongov of Kwenev regarding River Antse.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Har emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance stance towards communal clashes and warned of decisive measures against anyone instigating disorder.

Additionally, Dennis Shemberga, the traditional ruler of Guma, lauded the government’s swift intervention to prevent a larger communal clash between the two factions. He outlined the reasons for the conflict, citing the river’s abundant fish resources and fertile land along its banks, often used for dry season farming.

Despite the ongoing tensions, Simon Unongo, the Caretaker Chairman of Guma LGA, highlighted the relative peace prevailing in the area. He noted the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their farms, facilitated by the state government’s intervention.

While the dispute has a long history spanning over three decades, Terwase Uche, the member representing Guma 1 State Constituency, clarified that the state assembly was not contemplating legislation on the matter, recognizing the unique circumstances of each community.