Militia Men Responsible For Soldiers’ Killing In Benue – State Security Council

Benue State Security Council on Tuesday confirmed that
militiamen were responsible for the East Monday’s killing of 12
soldiers who were deployed to ensure peace in the crisis between
Konshisha and Oju local government areas of the state.

This formed part of the resolution reached at the end of the
expanded Security Council Meeting on the killing of soldiers in
Konshisha held at the Government House in Makurdi which had in
attendance, stakeholders from Konshisha Local Government Area of
the state.

Reading out the resolutions to newsmen, Governor Samuel Ortom
said, “the meeting condemned in strong terms, the killing of the
soldiers and expressed condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari,
Chief of Army Staff and families of the officers and men.

“The meeting confirmed that six persons including two militia
members died during the search for the missing soldiers.

The meeting also advised stakeholders to restrain themselves
from making inflammatory statements and allow the Government and
security agencies to handle the matter.

“The meeting tasked traditional rulers and other stakeholders to
ensure that all the weapons taken from the murdered soldiers are
returned unconditionally, the Governor stated adding that, “as soon
as the arms are returned, the State Security Council will review
the situation.”

“To end the lingering crisis between Oju and Konshisha, the
meeting resolved that the demarcation of the boundary between the
two local government areas be carried out as soon as possible.

“The meeting resolved that all those involved in the killing of
the soldiers should be arrested and prosecuted.

“The meeting appreciated the military for accepting the plea of
the State Government not to further escalate the destruction of
lives and property of innocent citizens in the affected communities
of Konshisha.

“The meeting equally appreciated traditional rulers and other
stakeholders for ensuring that some of the arms returned and urged
them to do more for the recovery of all the weapons.”

Our correspondent observed that the meeting was attended by
former Senator for Benue North East Constituency, Barnabas Gemade
and House of Representatives Member for Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal
constituency, Hon. Herman Hembe, the CAN Chairman, Rev. Akpen Leva,
traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as opinion leaders
from the area.

Benue State Security Council on Tuesday confirmed that
militiamen were responsible for the East Monday’s killing of 12
soldiers who were deployed to ensure peace in the crisis between
Konshisha and Oju local government areas of the state.

This formed part of the resolution reached at the end of the
expanded Security Council Meeting on the killing of soldiers in
Konshisha held at the Government House in Makurdi which had in
attendance, stakeholders from Konshisha Local Government Area of
the state.

Reading out the resolutions to newsmen, Governor Samuel Ortom
said, “the meeting condemned in strong terms, the killing of the
soldiers and expressed condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari,
Chief of Army Staff and families of the officers and men.

“The meeting confirmed that six persons including two militia
members died during the search for the missing soldiers.

The meeting also advised stakeholders to restrain themselves
from making inflammatory statements and allow the Government and
security agencies to handle the matter.

“The meeting tasked traditional rulers and other stakeholders to
ensure that all the weapons taken from the murdered soldiers are
returned unconditionally, the Governor stated adding that, “as soon
as the arms are returned, the State Security Council will review
the situation.”

“To end the lingering crisis between Oju and Konshisha, the
meeting resolved that the demarcation of the boundary between the
two local government areas be carried out as soon as possible.

“The meeting resolved that all those involved in the killing of
the soldiers should be arrested and prosecuted.

“The meeting appreciated the military for accepting the plea of
the State Government not to further escalate the destruction of
lives and property of innocent citizens in the affected communities
of Konshisha.

“The meeting equally appreciated traditional rulers and other
stakeholders for ensuring that some of the arms returned and urged
them to do more for the recovery of all the weapons.”

Our correspondent observed that the meeting was attended by
former Senator for Benue North East Constituency, Barnabas Gemade
and House of Representatives Member for Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal
constituency, Hon. Herman Hembe, the CAN Chairman, Rev. Akpen Leva,
traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as opinion leaders
from the area.