Gana: Benue security council calls for release of repentant youths

Benue State Security Council rose from an expanded meeting today with a call for the release of all repentant youths who were arrested on Tuesday by men of Operation Ayem A Kpatuma on their way to be granted amnesty by the State Government.

The Security Council also called for the release of vehicles and all items confiscated by the army during the operation including the official Hilux Vehicle of the Executive Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Council, Hon. Alfred Atera in which the late Terwase Akwaza also known as Gana was being conveyed to Makurdi.

Briefing journalists at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi after the meeting, Governor Samuel Ortom said Council had resolved to demand for the release of the affected youths to enable them complete the amnesty process.

Governor Ortom said the people of Sankera had expressed deep concerns over the circumstances and stories surrounding the arrest and killing of Gana, noting however that government would continue to interface with the army for amicable resolution of the impasse.

He stated that Council also resolved that the amnesty programme be extended to other parts of the state, saying that a committee had been constituted to ensure the training and reintegration of the repentant youths into the society.

The Governor appreciated the stakeholders from Sankera who were part of the amnesty programme for the confidence building which had enhanced peace in the area.

Council also called for the beefing up of security in Sankera and other border communities to forestall breakdown of law and order.