The National Boundary Commission (NBC) said it will resolve the crisis in grey areas of boundary demarcation between Benue and Taraba in early 2021. It called for peaceful coexistence among the residents in the border community.

Richard Oji, Director of Interstate Boundaries in the Commission, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr. Oji said the commission had done so much over the years in the demarcation of the boundary between the two states.

“But there has been a lacuna in the process which had to do with the people’s perception of demarcation and disagreement between the two states.

“The legal document or instruments we used, particularly the 1923 and 1924 agreements on the boundary have equally affected the efforts of the commission.

“Also, various states creation, from North East to Gongola, Adamawa, and Taraba; also from the former Benue-Plateau to Benue and other states that have been carved out have affected the efforts of the boundary commission.

“These have equally affected the principal understanding of state creation as some feel it is to increase their territory, but boundaries are for administrative purpose and convenience.

“However, in spite of our effort the basic disagreement with ethnic pursuits have equally affected these areas, particularly Jukuns and the Tivs; one group fall into the other state and they don’t want it and vice versa

“The issue is that each of the groups wanted to be joined with their kits and kin across the boundary, but boundaries are not supposed to be so.