Women of Ugondo community in Makurdi, earlier today staged a peaceful protest with a call on both the State and federal governments to urgently intervene and demarcate the disputed land between the community and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The protesting mothers, dressed in black and carrying fresh green leaves and placards bearing inscriptions such as “Call for demarcation of land,” “NAF stop grading our crops,” and “Save us, save our land,” gathered at Tse-Poor Junction to express their grievances.
Addressing the women at the scene, the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Hon. Joseph Keffi, who appealed to them for self restraint also assured them that government was working towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Keffi disclosed that a stakeholders’ meeting was ongoing at the Nigerian Air Force headquarters in Abuja, where deliberations were being held to address the long-standing land issue.
Speaking during the protest, a resident of Tse-Poor, Mrs. Ruth Kaanen, said the women took to the streets because the Air Force personnel were allegedly preventing them from accessing their farmlands.
“We are protesting because the Air Force people do not allow us to work on our farms. Whenever we plant crops, they come and destroy them. This is the preparatory time for rainy season, yet they are grading everything we have planted,” she said.
She further alleged that community members were subjected to harassment, extortion, and confiscation of farm produce by some of the officers.
“Sometimes you have to give the officers money before they allow you to go to your farm. They seize our harvested crops or throw them away. Even when we gather firewood, they collect it and sell it to others,” she added.
Mrs. Kaanen appealed to the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to intervene and help the community regain access to their land.
Another protester, Mama Veronica Gum, lamented that residents had lost access to their farmlands and were struggling to survive.
“We are suffering because we can no longer farm on our land. A young man was recently killed over this land dispute and he will be buried on Friday,” she said.
She urged the government to properly demarcate the land to clearly define the portions belonging to the community and those allocated to the Nigerian Air Force.
When contacted, an officer of the Nigerian Air Force at the scene, Sgt. Ejua PA stated that he was not authorized to speak on the matter.
The dispute dates back to 1977, when the parcel of land was allegedly allocated to the Nigerian Air Force. However, members of the Ugondo community alleged that the military has since encroached beyond the original boundaries and that no compensation has been paid to affected residents.
According to them several meetings have been held over the years, but the matter remains unresolved.
