Five beheaded in conflict between Tiv and Ijiegu-Yache communities

Tensions remain high as five individuals were reportedly beheaded in the ongoing reprisal killings between the Tiv people of Benue State and the Ijiegu-Yache of the Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State.

Chief Jacob Uswa, the Tiv leader in the community, confirmed the tragic events on Wednesday, further stating that several others had been severely injured in the violence.

According to Chief Uswa, the Yache faction carried out the beheadings during an assault on Tiv farmers while they were harvesting cassava in their farms.

“On Sunday, 8th October 2023, they attacked and beheaded three of our boys in their farms where they had gone to harvest cassava for fufu. Two others were also killed in another farm. They displayed the heads before their Yache people. The Yache boys are all over the bushes to attack us,” he reported.

Augustine Adula, a youth leader in the Ijiegu-Yache community, alleged that they had to defend themselves as the Tiv militia launched attacks against them on their farms. Adula claimed that the Tiv group raided their farms, attacked their women, and assaulted farmers.

“We have suffered incessant attacks from those Tiv settlers. They invade our community wearing military camouflages and sometimes surprise us through the bushes with attacks. As a result, our boys have stopped their businesses and schools and have taken positions in the bushes to defend our land and people, so that they can block the Tivs when they come surreptitiously,” Adula explained.

The conflict has greatly disrupted the lives of the residents, causing fear that has led to the closure of markets and schools. The root cause of the hostilities is believed to be the Tivs’ refusal to continue paying royalties for the land they settled on, resulting in violent clashes and house destruction on both sides last month.

However, the Tivs argued that having resided in the community for over a century, they identify more with being Cross River natives than Benue State residents.

Community leaders from both sides expressed discontent with the insufficient presence of security forces, including soldiers, assigned to maintain peace. They highlighted the vulnerability of the hinterlands to persistent violence due to the limited security measures.

In an attempt to address the situation and restore peace, the deputy governors of both states, Peter Odey and Sam Ode of Cross River and Benue States respectively, visited the community and appealed for a cessation of hostilities.

Irene Ugbo, Police Public Relations Officer, stated that they had not yet received a formal report regarding the recent killings.