Group alerts FG over renewed Bonta attacks on Ukpute community

 

The Igede Progressive Elites Caucus Association (IPECA), Lagos, has expressed worry over the renewed attacks allegedly by Bonta militia on people of Ukpute community of Oju local government area of Benue state.

The Bonta community of Konshisha local government, also of Benue state, has been engrossed in boundary dispute with their Ukpute neighbours leading to destruction of human and material resources, the climax of which 12 troops of the Nigerian Army were killed in an ambush by militia reportedly hired by Bonta community.

Speaking through a press statement made available to Blueprint, Tuesday, national president of IPECA, Mr Mike Alewu said two of his people; “Mr Thomason Odang and Mr Oga Idigba, the latest victims of the ongoing onslaught against Ukpute community, were killed by Bonta militia.”

Mr. Alewu said “while Thomason Odang was killed at his residence on Wednesday last week, Oga Idigba was captured alive with his motorbike last week and his body later discovered in the morning of Monday, May 25, 2021.”

He expressed worry that, notwithstanding the assurances by Governor Samuel Ortom that the state government would hasten the process for the demarcation of the boundary between the two communities as a lasting peace effort, nothing has been done to address the violence up to date.

According to Mr. Alewu: “ Our governor is a man of peace, no doubt, especially given the role he has been playing to ward off the attacks on Tiv Nation and other entities in the state by the Fulani herders. However, Dr Samuel Ortom should also carry his zeal to defend his subjects to the Igede Nation because we are equal stakeholders in the Benue project, and peace is sacrosanct to the achievement of that dream.”

He therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to use his offices in addressing the quagmire head-on to avoid further shedding of blood and destruction of properties.

While calling on men of means to assist those affected by the crisis, Mr Alewu advised the people to be vigilant, particularly at this time of planting season, so as not to be taken unawares and slaughtered like animals by the rampaging militia.   

Leave a Reply