By Amos Aar, Makurdi
BENUE State Security Council has handed over to the police the Deputy Chairman of Konshisha local government council, Hon. Sam Kave, the District Head of Iwarnyam, Chief Lazarus Unaha Koko, Kindred Head of Mbator, Chief Emmanuel Achirgbenda and the Councilor representing Mbagusa/Mbatser Council Ward, Tersugh Mela, to assist the police with relevant information in the investigation into the recent murder of 11 soldiers and one officer of the Nigerian Army in Konshisha LGA of the state.
The army personnel were deployed to keep the peace between warring communities of Bonta in Konshisha LGA and Ukpute in Oju LGA of the state when they were allegedly attacked and killed by suspected militia men in Konshisha.
Governor Samuel Ortom, who briefed journalists at People’s House, Makurdi, on Monday, 19th April, 2021, after an expanded Security Council meeting with stakeholders from Konshisha LGA, also disclosed that in addition to the handover of the suspects, one AK47 rifle was recovered by the military themselves, 8 other rifles and one machine gun were recovered with the combined efforts of the Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden, the Ter Ikyor, Chief Jam Gbinde and political leaders through dialogue.
Governor Ortom noted that those handed over to the police were not arrested in connection with the alleged killing of the soldiers and the seized arms being recovered, but were only invited to help provide relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of the real perpetrators of the heinous act.
The governor stated that the State Security Council also resolved that he (Ortom) would lead a delegation to condole with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, over the murder of the soldiers.
Governor Ortom also stated that the Security Council will also visit Konshisha LGA to assess the level of damage to enable the state government have insight on the required intervention by the state government.
He said that the Security Council appreciated the Minister of Defence and other Security Chiefs for allowing the State Security Council to handle the situation and thanked the stakeholders for their efforts in controlling the crisis.
Governor Ortom further disclosed that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had already visited and assessed the situation with a view to providing relief for victims.
