Benue State, Samuel Ortom has told parties involved in the crisis between communities in Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas resulting in the current military operation in some communities to sheate swords
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor which was made available to CAPITAL POST on Friday, Ortom directed leaders of the affected areas to ensure that the weapons the bandits took away from the military personnel deployed to bring peace between the warring communities are returned without delay.
The statement said: “I further urge members of those communities to expose perpetrators of the unprovoked attacks on the military as such an act is condemnable and also capable of jeopardizing the efforts Government has made to guarantee the return of peace to the area.
“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.
“Our administration is determined to see the end of the crisis and will support security agencies to fish out those fomenting trouble.
“I however urge the military to avoid civilian casualties and protect law abiding people while efforts are on to recover their missing weapons.”
