Boue-Yeghe Land Crisis: KAGOTE Proposes Buffer Zone, Govt Projects

President of KAGOTE, the apex socio-cultural body in Ogoniland, Chief Lesi Maol, has proposed the establishment of a buffer zone between Uegwere Boue, in Khana Local Government Area, and Bua Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State as part of efforts to resolve the lingering land dispute between the two Ogoni communities.

He also suggested that portions of the disputed land could be considered for government development projects, provided an arrangement acceptable to both communities could be reached.
Maol made the proposal during a peace engagement with stakeholders from the two communities, aimed at ending the dispute, restoring peaceful relations, and preventing further violence.
The KAGOTE President said the organisation, was committed to sustained engagement with both communities until a lasting and mutually acceptable resolution was achieved.
He stressed that the success of the peace initiative depended on the cooperation of the traditional rulers, youths, community leaders and other stakeholders, urging the parties to embrace a ceasefire, exercise restraint and approach negotiations with open minds.
He also expressed concern over the impact of the crisis on farming activities and the livelihoods of residents, particularly women, who depend on agriculture for their survival.
According to him, KAGOTE would also engage youths from both communities and explore opportunities for their economic empowerment as part of efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
He explained that the proposed buffer zone and possible government projects were among the practical options that could be explored in the search for peace, adding that any arrangement must emerge from consultations and take the interests of the affected communities into consideration.
On his part, the Bori Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Frank Abba, also appealed to the communities to embrace dialogue and cooperate with the peace initiative, warning that violence would not be tolerated.
He said acts of violence were criminal offences and would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Abba expressed confidence that constructive engagement and the willingness of both parties to negotiate would help produce a lasting solution, and urged residents to exercise restraint while the peace process continued.
Similarly, the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom and Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Samuel L. A. Nnee, said the crisis had affected both communities and required urgent collective action.
Nnee, who represented the traditional institution, said traditional rulers had engaged stakeholders from both sides to encourage dialogue.
He warned that failure to resolve the dispute could perpetuate hostility and create difficulties for future generations, while also expressing concern over the challenges faced by farmers, particularly women, who had been unable to access their farmlands freely.
Also, Retired Nigerian Army General Kingsley Suaka Nnaa, described the intervention as an opportunity to resolve the dispute through a credible and impartial process.
He urged both communities to support the peace committee, saying a transparent process would help rebuild trust and enable residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear.
Also speaking, Rear Admiral John Nicholas Bakpo (rtd.), Second Vice President of KAGOTE and Coordinator of the dialogue.

Association of Retired Senior Military and Para-military Officers from Ogoniland (ARMPOO), called for a negotiated settlement, urging the youths to shun violence and embrace dialogue.
Emphasising on the creation of a buffer zone, and using portions of he affected lands for government projects, Bakpo stressed the need to involve traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the credibility and acceptance of any eventual settlement.
During the engagement, representatives of both communities presented their positions on the disputed land and called for a fair and transparent resolution.
The Mene of Uegwere, Chief Baridorn Torgwara Tom, expressed support for the KAGOTE-led peace initiative, while community representative Gbaragbo Felix, presented his community’s position on the ownership and boundaries of the land.
The Secretary of the Uegwere Youth Council, Deeyor Sunebari, also made submissions on the dispute and called for a practical settlement.
On the Bua Yeghe side, the Acting Paramount Ruler, Chief Kwasu Moses Lebari, urged his people to cooperate with the KAGOTE delegation, describing the engagement as an opportunity to pursue peace.
Speaking, Chief Leue Gomaa of Demeue Yeghe, called for transparency in the committee’s work, stressing that any development plan involving the disputed land must take legitimate ownership claims into account.
The President of the Yeghe Youth Council, Bro. Steve Neebee, also urged the committee to remain neutral and ensure that the traditional understanding of the communities’ land boundaries was fairly considered.
The peace engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by KAGOTE and other stakeholders to resolve the Boue-Yeghe land dispute through dialogue, consultation and a mutually acceptable settlement.
The proposed buffer zone and possible government development projects remain options for consideration in the search for lasting peace between the two communities.

By: King Onunwor