D HQ Refutes Allegations Of Killing, Arson In Benue
• Ortom Urges Ceasefire
TDefence Headquarters, yesterday, said apart from the initial 10 bandits, no other civilian casualties were recorded in any part of Konshisha, Benue State, till date.
Acting Director Defence, Brig- Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this in Abuja, explained that there was never a massacre, as being touted by some
“mischief makers.”
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom once again appealed to military authorities to observe a ceasefire in the ongoing operation in parts of Konshisha. Ortom, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said the appeal became necessary to prevent the loss of more innocent lives in the affected communities.
He sympathised with victims of the crisis, assuring the people that his administration would ensure that no more lives are lost.
The governor, who briefed journalists on the development at Benue Peoples House, said a report from the Konshisha Council Chairman indicated that there was no operation yesterday, adding that out of the weapons seized from the military by youths of the area, three had been recovered, while he had directed the council chairman, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to see that the remaining arms were recovered. Ortom confirmed that eight people, including militia members, were killed during the military operation and appealed to those fueling the crisis in the media to desist from the act and support government to find lasting peace in the area.
Fielding questions from journalists, the governor said the deployment of soldiers to the warring communities of Konshisha and Oju was in compliance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to security agencies to shoot on sight, anyone in possession of illegal weapons. He assured that the state government would ensure the demarcation of the boundary between Bonta community of Konshisha Council and Okpute in Oju Council of the state to put the dispute to rest.
Nwachukwu, in the statement, challenged anybody from Konshisha to present to the public, the 200, 70 or 30 dead bodies of innocent persons, male, female or children killed by troops in Konshisha.
He stated: “The remnants of the armed bandits that escaped from Bonta withdrew into neighbouring villages, where they kept on attacking troops as they continued with the search operation through Bonta into other parts of Konshisha.