Return Weapons of Slain Soldiers Unconditionally, Benue Security Council Warns Militia, ‘Bonta Boys’
…Says Perpetrators Must Be Prosecuted

Benue State Security Council, on Tuesday,  tasked traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Konshisha Local Government Area of the state to ensure members of a militia group popularly referred to as ‘Bonta Boys’, immediately and unconditionally returned all weapons taken from an Army Captain and 11 soldiers recently murdered in an ambush.

It gave the matching order during an expanded meeting of the Council presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom at Government House, Makurdi.

The meeting further called on traditional chiefs as well as stakeholders from the area where 12 soldiers were killed on Easter Monday to work hard and ensure that the bandits are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.

While addressing the meeting, the state governor, Samuel Ortom, warned that if thousands of ammunition seized by militia in the area were not retrieved, the community may continue to be in danger.

He added that as soon as the arms are returned, the State Security Council will review the situation.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting which was attended by a former Senator for Benue North East constituency, Barnabas Gemade and House of Representatives member for Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal constituency, Herman Hembe, Ortom read a 10-point communique, maintaining strongly the meeting resolved that all those involved in the killing of the soldiers should be arrested and prosecuted.

He said , ” the meeting condemned in strong terms, the killing of the soldiers and expressed condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief of Army Staff and families of the officers and men. The meeting confirmed that six persons including two militia members died during the search for the missing soldiers.

“Stakeholders were advised to restrain themselves from making inflammatory statements and allow the Government and security agencies to handle the matter. The meeting tasked traditional rulers and other stakeholders to ensure that all the weapons taken from the murdered soldiers are returned unconditionally.

“To end the lingering crisis between Oju and Konshisha, the meeting resolved that the demarcation of the boundary between the two local government areas be carried out as soon as possible. The meeting appreciated the military for accepting the plea of the State Government not to further escalate the destruction of lives and property of innocent citizens in the affected communities of Konshisha”.

The meeting equally appreciated traditional rulers and other stakeholders for ensuring that some of the arms were returned and urged them to do more for the recovery of all the weapons.

On the humanitarian issue that has arisen as a result of the ugly incident particularly the displacement of thousands of people in the area, Ortom said his government will assess the situation and live up to its responsibility of assisting the displaced persons.