By Egbe Attah, Otukpo
Ado Local Government Chairman, James Oche, has urged the people of Igah clan in Igumale District and the people of Rijoh in Utonkon District, both of Ado Local Government to remain peaceful and resist all temptations to take laws into their own hands.
The chairman further assured that he would, within the shortest time, ensure that adequate and necessary steps are taken to put to rest, the lingering concerns associated with land boundary dispute between the two communities.
James Oche stated this recently at the council secretariat while reacting to the petition and concerns presented by the Igah elders who came protesting the alleged encroachment of their land by the people of Rijoh in Utonkon District.
The petition which was accessed by the press was copied to 31 offices including but not limited to that of the Benue State Governor, His deputy and the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and same was signed by the Acting Clan Head of Igah, Chief Agbo James Oche, Ai Ogah Kindred, Chief Ogomola Obande, Ai Odu Kindred, Ochepa Aboh, Ai-Ikor Kindred, Amedu Edeh as well as others.
The five paged petition gave a historical analysis into the boundary between the Igah and Rijoh communities and further prayed the chairman to take the necessary steps to resolve the brewing dispute.
Reacting, James Oche assured the elders that he would immediately forward their concerns to the relevant authorities, particularly the Benue State Deputy Governor and State Boundary Commission. He said at the local government level, there would be a public hearing on the issue to be organised by the Ado Legislative Council.
Oche said a fact finding mission would immediately be undertaken by a committee headed by the Supervisory Councillor for Youth and Media with membership drawn from the youth leadership of both clans and as well as a traditional committee headed by the 2nd-class chief with the 3rd-class chiefs of both clans and selected elders as members.
