By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Lami Ogenyi Danladi, has narrated how she risked her life to intervene in the over 100-year-old communal conflict between the Agila people of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State and the Ngbo people of Ebonyi State.
Speaking to journalists in Makurdi, Hon. Danladi explained that she secretly travelled to Ebonyi State in a personal effort to restore peace between the two warring communities, describing the move as a “risky but fulfilling voyage.”
She revealed that through political connections and personal friendships developed during the 2023 elections, she was able to initiate dialogue with key stakeholders from Ngbo.
She noted that her efforts eventually led to meetings between representatives of both communities, facilitated by political leaders including Chief Mike Onoja and Hon. Eze Nwachukwu.
According to her, the dialogue process began with initial meetings in Otukpo and later at the Ebonyi State Government House, where both sides agreed to promote peaceful coexistence, adding that subsequent visits by elders and youths from both communities strengthened the peace process.
The deputy speaker said the interventions have now brought lasting peace, enabling Agila and Ngbo people to live together, intermarry, and relate without fear after more than a century of hostilities.
