The communal clash between the Yache-Ijiegu community in the Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State and the Tiv settlers was recently intensified, resulting in the killing of 20 people in both areas and the burning of houses and properties.
The war which have lasted for a period of time due to disagreement on non non-payment of land royalty from the Tiv settlers to the Yache-Ijiegu community witnessed an ugly situation resulting in the killing of an Army officer involved in the peacekeeping of the area.
According to one of the Soldiers Lt. Alex, they were sent to return to normalcy in the areas only for them to lose one of their colleagues due to constant inciting and attacks by both communities.
The recent happening has resulted in the arrest of some youths of the Yache-Ijiegu community by the soldiers even youths that were receiving treatment in the hospital were not left out on the arrest as the soldiers were angry for losing their members.
It was gathered that the Soldiers had earlier invited both Communities for a peace meeting but the Tiv settlers refused to attend instead they were still planning for a fresh attack, which made the soldiers angry.
A Commissioner in the State who is an indigene of Yache-Ijiegu, Senator Stephen Odey have to Intervene in the matter pleading with the Commander in charge of Ogoja Barracks for peaceful settlement to prevent his Soldiers attacking the people for losing one of their colleagues.
