Following crisis between communities in Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas resulting in current military operations in the area, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on all the parties including the military to exercise restraint.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terverr Akase, Gov. Ortom asked leaders of the affected areas to ensure that the weapons taken from the military are returned without delay.
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Governor Ortom further urged members of those communities to expose perpetrators of the unprovoked attacks on the military as such an act is condemnable and capable of jeopardizing the efforts government has made to guarantee the return of peace to the area.
The statement read in part, “You will recall that in an effort to find a solution to the crisis, I set up a Boundary Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu to resolve the land dispute in collaboration with the National Boundary Commission”.
“The Committee had fixed a date for the demarcation of the area in contention when renewed violence broke out between the Bonta community of Konshisha Local Government Area and Okpute Community of Oju Local Government Area.”
While reassuring the people of his administration’s determination to see to the end of the crisis; Ortom urged the military to prevent civilian casualties and protect law abiding people while efforts are on to recover their missing weapons.
( Editor, Omor Bazuaye)
