Benue govt reconciles two warring communities

The Benue State Government yesterday brokered peace between the warring Bonta and Ukpute communities living at the border axis of Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas of the state.

Our correspondent reports that both communities had entangled themselves in an age-long dispute over land ownership, which had led to the loss of lives of civilians and security personnel.

The state Governor, Samuel Ortom, read out the resolutions shortly after the expanded State Security Council meeting attended by senators from the disputed areas, Gabriel Suswam and Abba Moro and former Senator Barnabas Gemade.

He condemned the escalation of criminality among youths of both communities.

He said that the meeting agreed that there should be immediate cessation of hostilities between the two communities to pave way for the peaceful demarcation of the borders.

According to him, the meeting resolved that “There should be constant hosting of stakeholders meetings involving the two communities and the access road from Konshisha to Oju should be opened and remained accessible and safe to all and sundry with regular security patrol.”

The meeting also directed the two local government areas to provide enabling environment for the establishment of a police post within the area to serve both Bonta and Ukpute communities.

“The youth, in collaboration with the traditional rulers and security agencies should fish out the criminal elements amongst them to pave way for sustainable peace in the area,” Ortom added.