15 fresh bodies of Tivs killed by jukun recovered in Benue

By James Ibechi

Fifteen fresh bodies of Tiv killed by Jukun were on Thursday recovered, as communal clashes between the two communities in Taraba and Benue worsen.
The corpses were recovered at Vaase settlement in Ukum LGA of Benue State.
The recovery of the bodies followed the burning down of over 100 houses in the clashes in both Jukun and Tiv communities.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, who rode on the crest of an epithet, “Defender of the Benue Valley”, to win reelection recently, proceeded on annual leave in the midst of the clashes.
But, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Paul Hemba (rtd.), confirming the incidence, said intelligence revealed that the Jukun people have joined forces with the Fulani to perpetuate killings of Tiv people.
He said over 3,000 persons have been displaced since the crisis broke out last week and are presently camped at Jootar in Ukum Council.
Meanwhile, the state PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bemgba Iortyom and the Tiv Youth Organisation have knocked President Muhamadu Buhari over comments credited to him on why Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Buhari was quoted to have told members of Nigerian community in Dubai that Ortom left APC due to unresolved issues concerning open grazing of cattle in Benue State.
In a statement on Thursday by group’s President General, Timothy Hembaor, it faulted the President’s comment, saying: “It was a confirmation of Buhari’s anti-Benue posture and confirms Ortom’s lack of confidence in federal authorities to protect his people.
He described as laughable the assertion by President Buhari that those killing Benue people were not Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.