By Paul Aondoakaa 

The District Head of Moon Council Ward in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, Chief Wende Gabriel Awua, has raised concerns over alleged activities in a disputed boundary area between Benue and Taraba states. In a letter to the Benue State Government, the traditional ruler called for urgent verification and intervention to prevent potential tensions in the sensitive border region.

The District Head of Moon Council Ward in Kwande Local Government Area, Chief Wende Gabriel Awua, has raised an alarm over what he described as troubling developments within a disputed boundary area between Benue and Taraba states.

In a letter dated April 21, 2026, and addressed to the Special Adviser, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Makurdi, the traditional ruler alleged that individuals from Taraba State, particularly from Takum, were surveying, designing and constructing a road through the Ugbe/Iyon kindred area towards the Cameroon border.

The letter, titled “Early Warning Signals: Disturbing Developments on Moon Council Ward, Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State,” described the Ugbe/Iyon axis as a disputed territory between the two neighbouring states.

Chief Awua argued that despite the unresolved boundary issues, Benue State and Kwande Local Government have historically exercised administrative control over the area through the provision of public services and institutions.

According to the traditional ruler, the area hosts six Primary Health Care centres, 18 primary schools, four Universal Basic Education secondary schools, one Government Science Secondary School and four markets from which revenues are reportedly collected by Kwande Local Government.

The district head also referenced a history of insecurity in the area. He alleged that Moon communities suffered attacks by Jukun militias more than two decades ago and later experienced repeated attacks by suspected armed Fulani groups from 2013 to the present.

According to the letter, the prolonged insecurity forced many residents to flee to communities including Achia, Nyihemba, Jato-Aka and Ikyogen, leaving parts of the disputed territory sparsely populated or deserted.

Chief Awua expressed concern that the situation could create opportunities for competing territorial claims.

Describing his report as an early warning signal, he called on the Benue State Government to investigate the alleged road construction activities using available verification mechanisms, including remote technology and field assessments.

He further appealed to security agencies, boundary committees and relevant authorities to intervene promptly and establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

The traditional ruler warned that failure to address the concerns could increase tensions in a region that has experienced recurring security and boundary-related disputes.

He also urged authorities to create conditions that would enable displaced residents of Moon Council Ward to safely return to their ancestral communities.

As of the time of this report, no official response had been issued by the Taraba State Government, federal boundary authorities or other agencies mentioned in the letter.