Keana town near the Benue-Nasarawa border became the epicenter of a violent clash stemming from a longstanding land dispute between Indigenous Alagos and Tiv settlers. Reports from eyewitnesses paint a harrowing picture of the conflict that claimed two lives and left several others injured.
According to eyewitness accounts, the unrest erupted when the bodies of Alago indigenes were discovered in their farms, triggering heightened tensions in the area.
“As I am talking to you right now, I am inside the roof of my house with my family members because we are being attacked by some youths chanting war songs,” one witness recounted, illustrating the fear and chaos that gripped the community.
Another witness described a scene of devastation, with casualties strewn on the ground and numerous individuals critically wounded, some of whom were rushed to Lafia for urgent medical attention. The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, but the toll is reported to be significant.
Confirming the incident, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sule on Public Affairs, Comrade Peter Ahemba, acknowledged the severity of the situation.
“The crisis started as a result of a land dispute between Tiv settlers from Benue and Alago indigenes at the Benue/Nasarawa border,” Ahemba stated.
Initially reporting one fatality and four injuries, Ahemba highlighted that security forces swiftly intervened to restore calm to the volatile region.
Security personnel were promptly deployed to Keana town to quell the escalating violence and maintain peace.
Their intervention succeeded in pacifying the situation, although tensions remained palpable amidst the grieving community members and the aftermath of the deadly clash.
Local authorities and community leaders have appealed for calm and urged restraint amid the fragile peace. Governor Sule’s administration has pledged to investigate the root causes of the conflict and work towards a lasting resolution to prevent further bloodshed.
The incident underscores the underlying tensions over land ownership that persist in border communities across Nigeria. Such disputes often simmer for years before erupting into violence, disrupting lives and livelihoods in their wake.
As the affected families mourn their losses and tend to the injured, the broader community remains on edge, wary of further outbreaks of violence.
Efforts are underway to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected and to facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties to foster reconciliation and sustainable peace.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent any resurgence of hostilities, recognizing the fragile peace that hangs in the balance in Keana town and neighboring areas.
The coming days will be critical in determining the long-term implications of this tragic incident and the prospects for peace in this troubled region.
Conclusion:
The clash in Keana town serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive conflict resolution mechanisms and proactive measures to address underlying grievances in Nigeria’s border communities.
As the community strives to heal and rebuild, the hope remains that lessons learned from this tragedy will pave the way for more peaceful coexistence among all residents.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
