News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
Not fewer than eight persons, including six students, have lost their lives to the Bonta/Ukpute communal clash between the people of Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue state respectively in the last few months.
The development has led to a call by Diiv Progressive Agenda (DiPA) on the state government to close shut down College of Education (COE), Oju and relocate the institution to a neutral ground so as to avert further loss of innocent lives.
DiPA President and Secretary, Dr James Amove Ukpoko and Dooyum Agav, respectively stated this in a statement they made available to newsmen in Makurdi at the weekend.
The group also lamented that the clash in the area led the people to block the essential Awajir-Oju road, cutting off access to vital services, endangering lives and crippling economic and vehicular activities in the area.
Speaking on the recent developments, DiPA President, Ukpoko, explained that apart from the six students from COE Oju that lost their lives to the incident, two other persons who were on a funeral procession were killed last Thursday, October 31, 2024.
The statement said “Their (Ukpute militia) attacks on a funeral procession on 31st October, 2024, which claimed the lives of Dominic Gbakera and Gyata Juku who was also burnt, reflect an unrestrained hostility.
“These brutal assaults are not isolated but part of a systematic effort by Ukpute forces to dominate Bonta through violence, displacement, and fear. This is not far from the truth because while the attack on the funeral procession was going on in Bonta, a press conference was organized in Abuja by a group known as Igede Youth Council to vilify the helpless Bonta community.
“Also, the COE, Oju has become a dangerous environment for Tiv students who face constant threats from the Ukpute militia. Since July 5, 2024 when this crisis started, six Tiv students have lost their lives on the Oju side; ruthlessly attacked by Ukpute militia while attempting to return home.
“They include: Sunday Joshua, Sementu Terzungwe, Tarbee Ikyehegh, Ikyernum lorshager, Dominic Kpeatsay and Terwase Shirshima.
“It must be emphasized that the only crime of these students is that they are Tiv, as none of them is from Bonta or Diiv generally. The government must urgently intervene, temporarily closing the college to ensure the safety of its students.”
The group further pointed out that “Crops are destroyed, families displaced, and lives forever altered. Despite our pleas for peace, Ukpute’s militia continues its campaign, undermining not only our security but also the values of neighborliness we hold dear.
“Since 5th July, 2024, Ukpute forces have relentlessly attacked the Bonta people, targeting our families, farms, and communities with alarming violence. This aggression escalated just as Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Benue Boundary Commission initiated a peace process to clarify the borders between Bonta and Ukpute.
“The world should note that the ongoing violence against Bonta has created a humanitarian emergency, with hundreds of families displaced, homes destroyed, and children left without shelter. We appeal to SEMA, NEMA, and international NGOs to recognize the scale of this crisis and to provide urgent assistance to those affected.
“Bonta families are in dire need of food, shelter, and security, as the continued aggression has left many struggling to survive. The humanitarian needs are severe and pressing, requiring coordinated aid to prevent further suffering and displacement.
“Rather than cooperate, Ukpute rebuffed peace efforts, attacking the border villages in Bonta, including Achirgbenda, TseTyo, TseKunde, and TseBiko. Using Ochoro as a launch pad, Ukpute forces have launched further attacks deep into Konshisha territory, terrorizing villagers and spreading fear.”
DiPA also noted that “What began in September 1997 as a boundary matter has erupted into a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions, threatening lives and displacing families.
“In open defiance to peace overtures by the people of Bonta and the government of Benue state, the people of Ukpute, using several platforms have resorted to false media claims and continued lethal attacks. The latest was a press conference yesterday, 31°‘ October, 2024 in Abuja by Igede Youth Council. This press release aims to truthfully set the records straight.’
The group alleged that the Ukpute community has consistently rejected peace efforts, despite multiple attempts by state officials to mediate a resolution saying “In July, when the Commissioner of Police convened a peace meeting in Tse Agberagba, Ukpute refused to attend, highlighting their unwillingness to settle the matter diplomatically.
“In light of the these relentless attacks and threats, we urge Governor Alia to implement urgent security measures to protect the Bonta people. We call for a mobile police unit to be stationed at the Oju-Konshisha border, establishing a stable security presence to deter future attacks.”
