In the wake of brutal attacks and killings attributed to suspected armed herdsmen in Benue State’s southern senatorial district, the Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) has issued a directive ordering herders to vacate all farmlands in the area to enable farming activities to resume safely.

The resolution, mirroring an earlier directive by the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC), was announced after an emergency meeting convened by the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Dr. John Odogbo, in Otukpo. The meeting included local government chairmen across Idoma land.

In a statement signed by the IATC Secretary, Uloko Adegbe, the Council expressed deep sorrow over the killings and destruction allegedly carried out by armed herders, which have led to multiple casualties and significant unrest.

While acknowledging efforts by the state and federal governments to tackle the crisis, the traditional rulers called for intensified action and greater political resolve.

They urged for “continued and intensified cooperation and political will, suggesting that more strategic actions and resources are necessary to fully secure our homeland.”

The resolution added, “It is therefore unanimously agreed that the state government should discuss and prevail on Fulani herdsmen to vacate all farmlands to enable farmers to resume their agricultural activities without threat or intimidation.”

“All armed herders must be persuaded and directed to leave the area immediately to prevent further conflicts.”

The Council further encouraged vigilance among locals, stating, “All residents and stakeholders are urged to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and promptly report any suspicious activities to support peace efforts and prevent further violence.”

To reinforce security in the district, the IATC called on the government to increase patrols, deploy more personnel to at-risk communities, and invest in conflict resolution training as preventive measures.

They also reminded law enforcement of their duty under the Open Grazing Prohibition Law, which remains in effect.

“No one is above the law,” the Council emphasized, urging the arrest and prosecution of any violators regardless of their status.

Additionally, Local Government Chairmen were tasked with ensuring strict adherence to the resolutions.

The Council concluded by urging both the Federal and State Governments to demonstrate “the political will to implement these resolutions by strengthen[ing] the security architecture in Idoma Land and Benue State in general.”

A new wave of tension has emerged between two neighboring Enugu communities, Etiti Ngwo and Umugwuakum Atakwu Akwuke, following the violent demolition of a residential-commercial building in a disputed area of land already adjudicated in favor of Etiti Ngwo by the Supreme Court.

In the recent attack, property worth millions of naira was destroyed by thugs allegedly sent by the people of Atakwu Akwuke.

Speaking to newsmen about the attack, Chief Onoh MC, Legal Advisor to the Etiti Ngwo community, decried the incident as a “clear case of criminal trespass and malicious damage” by suspected youths from Atakwu Akwuke, who allegedly stormed the property of Mr. Uchenna Onoh on May 9, 2025, and razed it down, despite a standing Supreme Court judgment affirming Etiti Ngwo’s ownership of the land.

“This case dates back to 1989 when both communities went to court over land known as Agu Ovolo, Isiama, and Ebemi land.”

“Though Etiti Ngwo initially lost at the High Court, the Court of Appeal overturned that ruling in 2015, and the Supreme Court upheld it,” Chief Onoh said.

Chief Onoh traced the land dispute to as far back as 1989 when both communities took their grievances to court over land known as Agu Ovolo, Isiama, and Ebemi land.

While the High Court initially ruled in favor of Atakwu Akwuke, the decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2015 and subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.

“Following the court rulings, Etiti Ngwo took possession of the land as ordered by the Enugu State High Court. The community then distributed parcels to adult males, including my client Mr. Uche Nna Onoh,” said Chief Onoh.

Despite this legal finality, youths from Atakwu Akwuke have allegedly continued to provoke tensions.

According to Chief Onoh, “they have persistently incited individuals who purchased land from Atakwu Akwuke with defective titles, urging them to defy court orders. This has led to a series of violent acts, including arson, destruction of fences, and demolition of buildings belonging to Etiti Ngwo indigenes.”

“On multiple occasions, houses have been burned and properties destroyed. The latest attack was the most alarming. A group of armed youths invaded my client’s property, pulled down the gates, removed all doors, riddled the roof with bullets, and damaged everything inside.”

“This occurred just days after we appeared in court with one of the claimants from Atakwu Akwuke, who attempted to seek an injunction against our client,” Chief Onoh explained.

He added that the attack seemed coordinated and premeditated, coming shortly after the opposing party expressed displeasure in court over a preliminary objection filed by Etiti Ngwo’s lawyers.

“They threatened to take action, and just days later, they did. We have names of the individuals involved and trust that the law will soon catch up with them.”

The incident has sparked concerns within Etiti Ngwo, whose members are growing restless.

“Our youths are angry, but we are urging them to remain calm and allow due process. This attack lasted over four hours, with gunshots heard throughout the night. Attempts to get the police to intervene were unsuccessful until the damage was done,” said Chief Onoh.

Adding complexity to the matter is the alleged involvement of the Enugu State Boundary Commission and the Enugu State Geographic Information Service (ENGIS).

Chief Onoh cited a court document where one of the Atakwu Akwuke litigants claimed that they were directed by the Boundary Commission to approach ENGIS for land registration.

“This is worrisome,” said Chief Onoh.

“Why is ENGIS registering lands in a legally resolved dispute area? The Boundary Commission has not released any white paper or report, yet they are allegedly directing registration. This creates confusion and undermines court verdicts.”

Etiti Ngwo has therefore made two formal demands:

1.
The Boundary Commission must immediately release the outcome of its findings on the land dispute, which has been pending since September 2024.

2.
ENGIS should suspend all land registration activities within the disputed area until a formal directive is issued by the Boundary Commission.

Speaking on his ordeal, Mr. Uchenna Onoh, the owner of the destroyed property, described his plight as heartbreaking and financially ruinous.

“I am a civil servant with no other property. I refused to sell the land to a man who claimed to be a reverend father. I wanted to build something for my children’s future. I started constructing seven lock-up shops with residential space above.”

“The structure was demolished three times. The third time, I had finished the entire building with borrowed funds. They destroyed everything, the roof, plumbing, aluminium works, doors, and even tiles. They broke and scattered a whole trailer-load of tiles meant for the building.”

Mr. Onoh said he had reported to the police, community leaders, and his lawyer, and had engaged private security.

“Still, they returned and ruined everything. Now I am in debt and trauma. I’m pleading with the government to step in and publish the boundary white paper to avert further escalation.”

BOUNDARY COMMISSION REACTS

When contacted, the secretary of Enugu State Boundary Commission, Dr. Ejim, told our correspondent that though they are aware of the disputed boundary, the report of their findings is not yet out, and when it is ready, all the parties involved will be made aware of it.

He also dismissed as totally false any claim by any of the parties that the report is in their favor, adding that only the Chairman of the Commission, who is the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, will release the report, but it’s not yet out.

Dr. Ejim noted that the commission isn’t aware of the renewed crisis in the area and assured of their commitment to entertain such a complaint if it’s brought before them.

Enugu State Geographic Information Service (ENGIS) Remains Silent.

Efforts to get a reaction from ENGIS on the alleged registering of the same land for the people of Atakwu Akwuke proved abortive as they are yet to reply to a mail sent to the Managing Director of the Service.

The situation remains tense, and community leaders warn that failure to act quickly could result in broader conflict.

“This matter has reached a boiling point,” Chief Onoh emphasized.

“The government must intervene now to prevent a full-blown communal crisis.”

After more than two decades, a man previously accused of manslaughter has been acquitted by a Kano Upper Shari’a Court.

The court, sitting in Rijiyar Lemo, ruled in favour of Sabi’u Aliyu Unguwa Uku, who was first arraigned in 2002 for allegedly killing a cyclist, Ibrahim Wada Musa.

Unguwa Uku had reportedly crushed the cyclist with a vehicle, leading to his arraignment. He was subsequently granted bail.

However, the legal process faced a major setback when the court handling the case was destroyed during a civil disturbance in the city. The case remained inactive until recently, when authorities attempted to revive it.

During the resumed hearing, the defence counsel objected to the renewed prosecution, citing that the time allowed for bringing up such charges had long expired.

He asked the court to dismiss the case entirely.

In delivering his verdict, Khadi Aliyu Jibrin Danzaki upheld the defence’s argument, stating that the charges were no longer valid.

“The charges put against him are not in order,” the judge ruled, leading to the discharge of the accused.

An Abeokuta High Court on Thursday handed down death sentences to two men and sentenced a third to 21 years imprisonment over charges of armed robbery and attempted murder.

The convicts, Wale Adedeji, Akeem Sulaimon, and Wahabi Idowu, faced a four-count charge involving conspiracy, armed robbery, and attempted murder.

After reviewing the evidence, the court found all three guilty.

In his ruling, Justice Olugboyega Ogunfowora stated that “the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused persons committed the offences as charged.”

He convicted all three to 14 years imprisonment each on the first two counts, which included conspiracy and armed robbery.

On counts four and five, relating to conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder, Wahabi Idowu received a sentence of 21 years.

The judge concluded the sentencing by ordering Adedeji and Sulaimon to death by hanging, while Idowu was convicted to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour.

Earlier, the court heard from Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Bolariwa Adebowale, who narrated that the crimes were committed in the early hours of October 29, 2018, around 12:30 am, at No 40 Merroy Road, Safari Junction, Onikolobo area of Abeokuta.