20/07/2025
PRESS RELEASE
VANDEIKYA LG CONFIRMS DEATH OF AGAGE IORKYAA TERNENGE OF MBANYAM, MBATYOUGH WARD, IN LAND DISPUTE VIOLENCE BETWEEN MBAZEREM AND ABONKIP (OBUDU, CROSS RIVER)
Vandeikya, July 20, 2025
The Executive Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government Council, Hon. Dennis Terkura Guda, has confirmed the death of Mr. Agage Iorkyaa Ternenger (popularly known as Gentleman), a native of Mbanyam in Mbatyough Council Ward of Vandeikya Local Government following a resurgence of violence in the lingering land dispute between Mbazarem community of Mbaduku, Vandeikya LGA, and Abonkip in Obudu LGA of Cross River State.
On the morning of Friday, July 18, 2025, reports emerged from the Mbazarem community concerning renewed gunfire allegedly coming from the Abonkip side of the disputed borderland. In swift response, Hon. Guda mobilized the local security outfit Anyam Nyor, alongside other security personnel, and proceeded to the disputed area for a fact-finding and peace-keeping mission. He also contacted his counterpart, the Chairman of Obudu LGA, who was en route to Calabar for a meeting.
Upon arrival, the Chairman and his team confirmed that gunshots were being fired. Disturbingly, the chairman himself had some gunshots towards his direction. Despite the danger, he moved across the area, where he observed large-scale destruction of crops worth millions of naira on the Mbazarem side, a reprisal attack by Abonkip youths who claimed their own farmlands were earlier destroyed.
A joint security meeting was immediately convened in the bush involving officers from the Nigeria Police, military, and the DPOs of both Vandeikya and Obudu. Both communities were urged to embrace peace and allow their local governments to resolve the conflict amicably. This initial peace engagement concluded by 4:00 PM.
However, according to security reports, hostilities resumed shortly after the Chairman departed the area. Mbazarem community accused Abonkip youths of violating the agreed "Bush Peace Accord" by resuming indiscriminate shooting. The violence intensified until about 7:00 PM, prompting the Chairman to relocate to Tsar, Mbaduku, to prevent further escalation.
In a tragic turn of events, violence spilled from the forest into Obudu Township. Abonkip youths reportedly began attacking Tiv residents of Benue origin. Armed groups were seen parading the streets of Obudu, targeting Benue indigenes many of whom are students at the Federal College of Education (which runs degree programs) and the School of Nursing, as well as traders and business people.
In response, Chairman Guda courageously led a security-backed rescue mission into Obudu. He supervised the evacuation of Benue indigenes, students and others many of whom had sought refuge at the Obudu Central Police Station. The evacuation effort lasted through the night of July 18 to the evening hours of July 19, 2025.
To prevent retaliatory violence, the Chairman also arranged for the safe return of Obudu indigenes residing in volatile areas of Vandeikya, handing them over to the DPO of Obudu.
Sadly, it has been confirmed that Agage Iorkyaa Ternenge, a commercial driver who plied the Obudu–Gboko route, was lynched by Abonkip youths in Obudu Township. He had gone to deliver a waybill from Gboko when he was attacked and killed in cold blood.
Emergency meetings were held in Tsar and Obudu yesterday to de-escalate the tension and set the stage for a broader peace dialogue today, July 20, 2025.
Hon. Guda has strongly condemned the killing of Mr. Agage Iorkyaa Ternenge and the gruesome video of the incident circulating online. He described the act as barbaric, hateful, and satanic warning that senseless action could ignite long-lasting hostilities between the two states.
While commiserating with the family of the slain driver, the Chairman appealed to all Benue indigenes to remain calm and avoid any form of retaliation against Cross River indigenes residing in Benue. He emphasized the need for peaceful resolution and the importance of allowing constituted authorities to handle the crisis responsibly.
Signed:
Comrade Gbaa Nguuma
Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Executive Chairman, Vandeikya LGA
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