BY ADEBIMPE ADEYEMI
BENUE State Government has handed over two paramount rulers in Konshisha Local Government Area, the Vice Chairman of the Council and Councillor representing Mbagusa/Mbatsev Council Ward, to the Police for investigation.
This is in connection with the violence that broke out during the Easter celebrations, where 12 soldiers were killed.
The state government also said that it had recovered eight of the 12 rifles, including a machine gun, that were confiscated from the slain soldiers, in collaboration with stakeholders in the Local Government Area.
Governor Samuel Ortom disclosed this on Monday at the end of an expanded State Security Council meeting in Makurdi, which had stakeholders of the affected community in attendance.
He commended the stakeholders for supporting the government in realising the promise made to the military high command and the Federal Government that everything would be done to recover the confiscated weapons.
Ortom said, “In line with the promise I made to the Military and the Defence Minister, we have so far recovered eight of the 12 rifles, including a machine gun, that were removed from a van. This has brought the recovered weapons to nine since the military had earlier recovered one.
“The process of recovering the remaining three is in progress and we will ensure that all the weapons are recovered and returned to the Army.”
The Governor listed those who were handed over to the police for further investigation to include the District Head of Iuuar Nyam, Unaha Koko; acting Kindred head of Mbator, Emmanuel Achirgbenda; Vice Chairman of Konshisha LGA, Sam Kave; and Councilor representing Mbagusa/Mbatsev Council Ward, Mela Yange.
He said the four people would assist the police in their investigation, adding that the Security Council also mandated him to lead a delegation to President Muhammadu Buhari to condole him over the death of the soldiers and also apologise for the unfortunate incident.
In a related development, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency has carried out an assessment of the destruction and damages caused by the crisis.
Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Emmanuel Shior, who visited the affected areas, said Ortom directed him to visit the areas and assess the situation of things for immediate intervention.
