The Benue assembly has called on the state government to immediately take over the disputed forest in the Kwande Local Government Area (LGA), which has caused perennial disputes among the Mbakyaa, Zer, and Mbaper communities.

The call followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) during Tuesday’s plenary in Makurdi.

Mr Dugeri said that if the state government took over the land, it would bring lasting peace and prevent further clashes.

The lawmaker informed the House that the crisis had lingered for several years despite numerous attempts at peaceful resolutions.

He said that on April 6, the same disputed forest became the centre of renewed conflict involving individuals from Mbaper and Dzev kindreds, resulting in the destruction of lives and property worth millions of naira.

Mr Dugeri expressed worry that if the state government did not take urgent and decisive action, the crisis would continue to escalate and may result in further breakdown of law and order.

He said that over 1,000 persons had been displaced so far, stating that this had deepened mistrust among the affected communities.

Michael Audu (PDP/Adoka-Ugboju), who supported the motion, said the land in question was a Government Reserved Area (GRA) and that the government should take possession of it for peace to reign.

The speaker, Aondona Dajoh, urged the state government to deploy adequate security operatives to the affected communities to maintain peace, restore order, and prevent further violence.

Mr Dajoh called on the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) to urgently provide relief materials, including food, shelter, and medical support, to affected and displaced persons in the crisis-affected areas.

(NAN)