A violent chieftaincy dispute has claimed the lives of two people and left several homes in ruins in the Odu electoral ward of Maraba Udege Development Area, Nasarawa State.
The dispute, which has persisted for over three years, centers on a land ownership disagreement between the Afo people of Angwan Duse and Angwan Kasa communities. Despite previous efforts to mediate, the crisis remains unresolved.
In the wake of the latest violence, Governor Abdullahi Sule visited the affected communities to assess the extent of the damage and seek lasting solutions.
Addressing the contending families from the Odu and Embu communities, Governor Sule issued a stern warning against further hostilities. “This crisis has lingered for too long. We must put an end to this senseless destruction and loss of lives,” he stated.
The governor also announced plans to appoint an administrator to oversee the area and foster peace-building efforts.
He called on community stakeholders to view Mararaba Udege as a collective heritage of the Afo people, urging them to set aside communal divisions for the sake of development.
Governor Sule also highlighted the strategic importance of the area, noting its growing significance due to ongoing mining activities.
“We need peace here to harness the opportunities that lie within this region,” he emphasised.
