A community leader in Benue State has appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the prolonged communal crisis between Akpa-Mbakor and Agasha, saying more than 500 houses have been destroyed in the violence.
The community leader and environmental consultant, Arc. Patrick Ukura, said the destruction in Akpa, a community in Tarka Local Government Area, had affected homes, public facilities and other property, including his ancestral house.
Ukura, younger brother of former Auditor-General for the Federation, Dr Samuel Ukura, accused the Benue State Government of failing to adequately protect residents in the affected communities.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, he alleged that residents of Akpa-Mbakor had continued to lose their lives and property while the state government failed to take decisive action to end the violence.
He described the clashes between Akpa-Mbakor and Agasha as the worst destruction the community had experienced, saying several people had been killed and millions of naira worth of property destroyed.
The crisis, according to Ukura, has continued despite intervention efforts by government officials, traditional rulers and community leaders.
He specifically expressed concern over what he described as unsuccessful efforts by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Terlumun Dwem, and Commissioner for Housing, Roy Ashirga.
Other stakeholders he said had attempted to resolve the dispute include the Tor Lobi, HRH Mfave Anagende; the Tor Jemgbah, HRH Afatyo Ajoko; and the President-General of Mzough-u-Tiv, Rtd. Comdr. A. Agbecha.
“More worrisome are the failed attempts by critical stakeholders, including Commissioner Terlumun Dwem. How can the Benue State Government allow this crisis to persist?” Ukura asked.
He also accused the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia of failing to act decisively, alleging that the prolonged crisis could have political implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ukura called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently, saying the continued violence posed a serious threat to lives, livelihoods and property in the area.
“Why has the Benue State Government failed in her primary responsibility to safeguard the lives and properties of her citizens for this long? My people’s means of livelihood are destroyed daily, yet the governor does not care. Why play politics with human lives?” he said.
The dispute reportedly began on August 5, 2026, following the burial of a corpse on ancestral land in Akpa-Mbakor without the community’s authorization.
The disagreement subsequently escalated into violence between residents of Akpa-Mbakor and Agasha, with several deaths and widespread destruction reported since then.
Tarka Local Government Area is the home council of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, while Guma Local Government Area is the home council of former Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom.
Meanwhile, sources said Akume was concerned about the continuing violence and was taking steps to help resolve the dispute.
Ukura urged the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to restore peace and protect residents caught up in the crisis.
