Chairmen Intervene as Tension Eases in Benue Communal Clash
Last update: May 1, 2026
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About Nineteen (19) abducted persons were rescued after the intervention of the local government chairmen.
Tension has begun to ease in parts of Benue State Nigeria following the intervention of local government chairmen in a communal clash between Ukpute community in Oju Local Government Area and Adiko community in Obi Local Government Area.
CBI News reports that the crisis, which erupted earlier in the week, reportedly led to the abduction of 19 persons.
However, authorities confirmed that all the victims have now been rescued and safely reunited with their families.
Chairman of Oju LGA, Ominyi Jackson Adah, alongside his Obi counterpart, Silas Odeh, visited the affected Ukpute area in Ainu Ette in a bid to de-escalate tensions and restore calm.
According to eyewitnesses in the community, the conflict began on Monday after a woman from Ukpute was allegedly attacked and seriously injured while working on her farm.
The incident reportedly sparked a reprisal by youths from the community, culminating in the abduction of 19 individuals.
In response, the council chairmen mobilised security operatives, including military and police personnel, to the area. Officials said the coordinated intervention led to the successful rescue of all abducted persons and helped restore relative peace.
During their visit, the two leaders appealed to residents of both communities to exercise restraint and embrace peaceful coexistence, warning that further reprisals could escalate the situation.
Meanwhile, the Omi Ny’Igede Youth Wing Development Association has called for urgent humanitarian assistance for those affected by the violence.
The group urged the Benue State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to displaced families.
The association noted that many residents affected by the clash are in dire need of food, shelter, and medical care following the disruption.
Communal clashes in Benue are often linked to disputes over land and boundaries, with authorities consistently advocating dialogue and early intervention as key measures to prevent escalation.
Security agencies have maintained a presence in the affected communities to ensure sustained peace as normalcy gradually returns.
