Ologba vs Egba: Warring Agatu communities finally embrace peace

By Ede Ogaba Ede

The warring Ologba and Egba communities of Agatu local government area of Benue State met yesterday with Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu and stakeholders from the local government area and resolved to sheathe their sword in the interest of peace.

The meeting, which held at the instance of Engr Benson Abounu at the new banquet Hall of the Benue People’s House, Makurdi was attended by prominent Agatu personalities among them, Benue State PDP chairman, Sir John Ngbede, former member, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Solomon Agidani, Chief Andrew Idakwo, member, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Godwin Edor, the Ada’Agatu, Chief Godwin Onah, all district and clan Heads from the local government, Commissioner for Health and Human services, Dr. Sunday Ongbabo, former members of the state House of Assembly, political appointees, former council chairmen and the Caretaker chairman, Hon. Usman Alilu.

RESOLUTIONS REACHED AT THE MEETING WHICH HELD AT BENUE PEOPLE’S HOUSE, MAKURDI ON 25TH JULY 2019

The meeting presided over by the Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu and attended by stakeholders from all parts of Agatu local government area was convened to find a lasting solution to the lingering bloody clashes between Egba and Ologba as well as other disputes.
The Deputy Governor said following two separate meetings he had earlier with the people of Egba and Ologba over their dispute, and the report of the Peace Committee set up to look into the matter, the following facts stand out.
1. That the perennial clashes between Egba and Ologba centres round the ownership of Ochulo pond.
2. That from records, Ochulo pond belongs to the people of Ologba
3. That until 1973, when someone from Egba approached the court to ask that the Ologba people leave the pond for them, there was no dispute over ownership of the pond.
4. The judgement of the court did not mention Ochulo pond, rather it referred to Idogo stream as the boundary between the two communities. Secondly, the said judgement being paraded by Egba is fake as it is not a certified true copy and it does not carry the signature of the judge said to have delivered it.
5. Though the pond belongs to Ologba, there is nothing wrong if Ologba leaves it for Egba in the spirit of give and take, so that peace can return to the two communities. Moreover it is established that whereas Ologba have over 20 ponds, Egba has only 5 outside the disputed Ochulo pond.
6. Ceding of Ochulo to Egba is not and should not be seen as forceful takeover of the pond by the people of Egba. Any success recorded with force, can only be temporal.

Consequent upon the above and flowing from the discussions at the meeting, the government took the following decisions:-

• The people of Egba; all their prominent men, accompanied by other Agatu stakeholders, among them, Sir John Ngbede, Rt.Hon. Solomon Agidani, Chief Andrew Idakwo, Hon. Mike Inalegwu and others are to go and beg the people of Ologba for forgiveness. The Deputy Governor expressed his willingness to be part of the team to beg the people of Ologba, if need be.
• Ologba people, who have deserted their homes, are to return home to their ancestral land, unmolested and unhindered by anyone or group. This is to be done within one month from today.
• That same day, Ologba people will return home, Aila people shall also go back home. Both movements shall be marked by the presence of His Excellency, the deputy governor or his representatives and high level security presence.
• Ologba and Egba people at this meeting are to go home, call a meeting of their people and discuss the matter with them. The deputy governor expressed his willingness to be at the meeting, particularly with the youths, who are at the fore front of all the conflicts.
• The Peace Committee should go into the Okokolo/Abugbe crisis and find ways of resolving it. It is expected that once the Egba/Ologba Crisis ends, other communal crises in Agatu would come to an end.