Army has arrested some youths in Yache-Ijiegu community in Yala Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River over the alleged killing of a soldier during a communal clash with Tiv settlers last week.

It will be recalled that Yache-Ijiegu and their neighboring Benue state settlers have been in war over non-payment of land royalty to Yache-Ijiegu.

The recent attack had reportedly claimed 20 lives on both sides and set a number of houses ablaze.

The Commanders of Peacekeeping Taskforce sent to Yache-Ijiegu community to return normalcy to the area have arrested a number of youth leaders over the alleged killing of a soldier during a communal meeting last weekend between them and Tiv settlers.

Sources disclosed that soldiers stormed the community and arrested some youths, including those receiving treatment in hospital for gunshot injuries for interrogation.

According to the sources, the soldiers were angered over the loss of their colleague.

It was gathered that the angry soldiers had on Wednesday invited both sides to a peace meeting but the Tivs people refused to attend.

The source said, “The Tivs said they were not coming to attend the meeting, and our people that went returned; the soldiers were not happy about that.

“But soldiers from Benue side visited our community and interrogated people. They forced some of our youth leaders to show them the hospital where our boys who suffered gunshot injuries from last weekend battle were being treated.

“At the hospital, they also took away one of our boys in the hospital that suffered gunshots injuries.”

According to reliable sources, the soldiers, demanded that they need all the boys that went to the Bush to attack the Tivs which resulted in the accidental death of the said soldier.

It took the intervention of a Commissioner in the state, an indigene of Yache-Ijiegu, Senator Stephen Odey who pleaded with the Commander in charge of Ogoja barracks for a peaceful resolution to avoid any attack on the people by the angry soldiers.

Despite the intervention, there is fear in the community as the Tiv settlers are also reported to be mobilizing for another attack.

In a phone interview, one Lt Hassan who led the arrest said, “I don’t know what you are talking about. Thank you.”

But in an earlier interview with one of the Commandants stationed in Yache-Ijiegu side, Lt Alex confirmed the killing.

He said, “We were sent here to keep the peace but the people keep inciting and launching attacks, to the extent of killing our soldier.” (The Guardian)

Update news