Two pastors have been reportedly murdered in Ochoro community of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State by persons suspected to be members of Bonta militia.
The pastors whose names were given as Moses Ijoko Aleje and Ijuo Emmanuel Aleje, were reportedly killed in Ochoro on their way to a hospital in the area.
An unfortunate incident the State Governor Samuel Ortom condemned and described as unacceptable.
Also Read: Konshisha/Oju Crisis: Gov. Ortom asks military, others to restrain themselves
A statement by his chief press secretary Terver Akase directed security operatives to immediately apprehend those responsible.
The Governor warns those jeopardizing the State Government’s efforts to end the crisis between Konshisha and Oju that they won’t escape justice, no matter who they are.
An indigene of Ochoro Community told our correspondent on grounds of anonymity that the two pastors who are Igede people of Ochoro Community in Konshisha local government area which is a predominately Tiv speaking area were gruesomely murdered by Bonta boys on their way to Oju Local Government for medical attention.
“The pastors were attacked as they were going to the hospital. They were shot dead and their motorcycles snatched away.
The incident was reported to the Police as usual but whether they were able to go to the scene before they were buried, I do not know”.He added
Chairman, Konshisha Local Government Area, James Jirgba, said he received report while he was attending a meeting at Government House, Makurdi that two persons who were on their way to hospital.
“The crisis have been over for more than two weeks now but we heard that somebody from Igede who was coming from a journey dropped in Ukpute which is Igede area and strode into Tiv area but the people he met did not do anything to him.
They kept him till dawn and I called the Oju chairman to tell the DPO to take him back to his people. People take advantage of this crisis to commit anything”, Jirgba said.
It will be recalled that two weeks ago, stakeholders including traditional rulers and prominent politicians from Konshisha and Oju converged at Government House, Makurdi and agreed to a ceasefire as well as apprehension of militia groups causing mayhem in the communities.
Editor: Ameachi Anakwe
