In response to ongoing communal clashes between the Yache-Ijiegu community of Yala LGA, Cross River State, and Tiv settlers, soldiers arrested several youths from Yache-Ijiegu. The soldiers had been deployed to maintain peace following a recent conflict that resulted in the alleged killing of a soldier and the reported loss of 20 lives, as well as destruction of property.
The soldiers canceled a planned peace meeting between the conflicting parties, which was scheduled for Wednesday, and decided to arrest young men instead. The Tiv settlers reportedly refused to attend the meeting. Soldiers from Benue visited the Yache-Ijiegu community, interrogated individuals, and even forced some youth leaders to show them the hospital where individuals with gunshot injuries from the recent conflict were receiving treatment.
During the hospital visit, the soldiers took away one of the injured young men. It is said that the soldiers demanded all the individuals who had participated in the conflict against the Tivs, which had resulted in the accidental death of one of the soldiers.
The situation has caused apprehension in the community, as there are reports of Tiv settlers preparing for another attack, while the soldiers have issued threats. A local leader, Senator Stephen Odey, who is now a serving commissioner, has appealed for a peaceful resolution to prevent further attacks.
Leader of the soldiers involved in the arrests, Lt. Hassan, denied knowledge of the situation, and another commander, Lt. Alex, confirmed the killing of a soldier and expressed concerns about the ongoing violence.
