Bloodbath in Benue: What Suswam told Jootar community

By Pila Daniel

The senator representing Benue North East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Gabriel Suswam, has appealed to the people of Jootar in Mbaterem, Ukum local government area of Benue State to allow God avenge the unprovoked attack on their town by suspected Junkun militia which destroyed lives and properties worth millions of naira.

The senator who conducted on-the-spot assessment wondered why the aggressors would carry out such a dastardly act without any provocation resulting to the magnitude of destruction describing the attack as barbaric and unfortunate.

The former Governor however appealed to the people not to seek revenge as two wrongs do not make a right and allow God avenge on their behalf saying peace was the only panacea for development.

Senator Suswam thanked the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and other stakeholders for their prompt response and efforts resulting to the posting of security agents to the town to avert any further attack why also appealing to the people to give the security men maximum cooperation.

He said Governor Ortom was already discussing with his Taraba State counterpart and himself with the senator representing Taraba south, other stakeholders in Taraba and a meeting has been slated to proffer permanent solution to the crisis.

On the alleged skirmishes between Ukum and Tongov, the senator debunked the allegation saying what was happening was pure criminality but assured the people that nolmacy will return following separate meetings he held with the traditional rulers of both clans to prevail on their subjects to embrace peace.

While urging all parties to sheath their swords he described as embarrassing the ugly incident that has erupted between men of the underworld when already part of his constituency was under attack by external aggressors.

In his remarks, member representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo federal constituency in the National Assembly, comrade Richard Gbande, said it was time to give peace a chance as he maintained that nothing strives in an atmosphere of chaos.

Comrade Gbande also appealed to men of goodwill to come to the aide of those rendered homeless as it is raining season and they have no where to go to while also promising to liase with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to bring relief materials and succour to the people.

Earlier, the Ter Ukum, His Royal Highness, Chief Orkaa Kaave called on government at all levels to assist those displaced to return to their ancestral homes especially in Wukari local government that has continued to extend their aggression into Benue.

The Ter Ukum wondered why only Wukari local government is refusing to embrace peace and allow displaced Tiv people back to their places of birthday lamenting that as a bother local government, he was overstretched already.

Accompanied on the visit by other critical stakeholders including honourables Thomas Mlanga, member representing Ukum in the Benue State House of Assembly, Ibellogo Tor Tyokyaa, Chairman Ukum local government, Merga Kachinah, commissioner for Industry Trade and Investment and Shima Ayati, Special Adviser to the Governor, the senator donated some relief materials including 50 bags of rice and some cash to assist the people construct temporal shades.

Others were Professor Linus Saalu, Provost College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Jerome Zaye, Principal Special Assistant to the Governor, David Sevav and Teryima Nguher, both former chairmen of Ukum local government, Ezekiel Sevav, deputy director with the Benue State government and a few others.