Following the ongoing conflict between Yache-Ijiegu community in Yala LGA, Cross River State, and Tiv settlers, soldiers deployed to maintain peace have arrested several youths from Yache-Ijiegu.

The arrests took place on Thursday evening as part of an interrogation into the alleged killing of a soldier during the communal war, which reportedly resulted in 20 deaths and the destruction of houses.

Sources within the community revealed that the soldiers were enraged by the loss of their colleague, leading them to cancel a scheduled peace meeting between the two conflicting parties that was supposed to take place on Wednesday. Instead, they resorted to detaining young men from Yache-Ijiegu.

One source stated that the Tiv settlers declined to attend the meeting, causing the representatives from Yache-Ijiegu to return. However, soldiers from Benue State visited the Yache-Ijiegu community and interrogated its residents. They compelled youth leaders to lead them to a hospital where injured individuals from the recent battle with the Tivs were receiving treatment. At the hospital, they arrested one of the injured boys.

Reliable sources revealed that the soldiers demanded that all the boys involved in the attack on the Tivs, which resulted in the accidental death of the soldier, be handed over to them. It was reported that during the exchange, one of the Yache boys disclosed to the soldiers that the individual who mistakenly shot the soldier was promptly killed by the soldiers in the midst of the conflict.

The sources also disclosed that there is growing apprehension in the community as the Tiv settlers are allegedly mobilizing for another attack. The soldiers have reportedly issued warnings in response to the situation. Senator Stephen Odey, an indigene of Yache-Ijiegu community who currently serves as a commissioner, has appealed to the commander in charge of Ogoja barracks for a peaceful resolution to prevent further military action against the community.

When contacted, Lt Hassan, the leader of the arresting soldiers, declined to comment on the matter. In a previous phone interview, Lt Alex, another commander stationed on the Yache-Ijiegu side, confirmed the killing of a soldier and expressed his displeasure, stating that their mission was to maintain peace but the people continued to instigate and launch attacks, leading to the loss of their comrade.