Benue govt suspends 3 monarchs, takes over disputed land

Benue state Security Council has announced government’s take-over of the disputed land between Mbazerem and Mbayem/Mbaikyu kindreds of Iwarnyam District of Konshisha local government area.
Subsequently, the State Security Council has warned the warring factions to stay away from the disputed land.
Governor Samuel Ortom who made the resolutions of the Council known after the Security Council meeting yesterday at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, said the decision had become necessary to prevent further crisis in the area.
The Governor also announced the suspension of the District Head of Iwarnyam, Chief Unaha Koko, and the kindred heads of Mbazerem and Mbayem/Mbaikyu, Anongo Tema and Atser Kor, respectively.
He said a Committee headed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof.
Anthony Ijohor, had been mandated to look into the crisis and make recommendations to government for further action.
Ortom disclosed that 41 suspects had already been arrested and were being interrogated by the state Police Command.
According to him, the three suspended traditional rulers will also be interrogated by the police.
The Governor reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to tackling crime in all parts of the state, “no matter who is involved.” It would be noted that the suspended traditional rulers were before the end of the meeting arrested and taken to the police state Command for interrogations.