A prominent socio-cultural group, the Alago Ikweyi Gbayi Development Union (AIGDU), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to immediately physically demarcate the boundary between Nasarawa and Benue States to avert further bloodshed in conflict-prone border communities.
The call was contained in a statement jointly signed by AIGDU President, Mohammed Oshafu, and Publicity Secretary, Hassan Ozegya, and made available to journalists on Sunday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
The appeal comes on the heels of recent deadly attacks in Yelwata, a contested border town claimed by both states, which resulted in the deaths of several people, including children and pregnant women, as well as the destruction of homes and property.
AIGDU’s statement was a direct response to remarks made by the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, during President Tinubu’s condolence visit to Benue State.
The monarch had alleged that Tiv people, whom he described as indigenous to the disputed areas, were being wrongly classified as non-indigenes and dispossessed of ancestral lands in Keana, Obi, and Awe Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State.
Describing the claims as “inaccurate and provocative,” AIGDU maintained that Yelwata is historically an Alago settlement, originally known as Alagon Omere, and lies within Keana LGA of Nasarawa State.
“Yelwata has always been part of Nasarawa State. This is supported by historical accounts, colonial records, and modern digital mapping systems like Google Maps.
“Though the Tiv people later settled in the area, they are not the original inhabitants,” the statement read.
While distancing itself from the immediate causes of the most recent violence, AIGDU reaffirmed its opposition to bloodshed and communal conflict.
It noted that the Alago people have a long tradition of peacefully coexisting with other ethnic groups.
However, the union stressed that the Tiv community cannot lay ancestral claim to the disputed areas, reiterating that the founders of Keana and Obi LGAs were Alago.
“Keana was established as early as 1232 AD, and its original territory stretched to the North Bank of Makurdi before colonial-era restructuring redefined the boundary between Daudu and Yelwata,” the group said.
AIGDU called on President Tinubu to take swift action by instructing the NBC to conduct a proper boundary demarcation exercise using existing federal boundary instruments, warning that continued delay could lead to further clashes.
“A clear and well-documented boundary will guide traditional institutions, government officials, and residents, and help prevent future disputes,” the statement added.
The union also commended President Tinubu for his prompt visit to Makurdi on June 18 to assess the situation and offer condolences to the victims of the attacks.
The Nasarawa-Benue border has long been a hotspot of recurring tension, with Yelwata often at the epicenter of land rights, identity, and governance disputes.
As insecurity and mistrust deepen, stakeholders are increasingly calling for decisive federal action to enforce boundary clarity and foster lasting peace.
