From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Benue state government has said it will set up a commission of enquiry to ascertain the remote causes of the crisis between Ibilla and Oju communities in the state, with a view to bring lasting peace to the area.
Benue State Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, disclosed this on Wednesday in Oju when he led a delegation for an on the spot assessment and fact finding mission on the crisis which erupted between the two communities which took place on Monday, June 12, 2023.
The Deputy Governor who noted that stiff sanctions would be meted out on perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others, expressed sadness over the crisis saying the Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia led administration will not condone such acts innthe state.
Addressing the Igede First Class Chief, His Royal Highness Oga Ero, Adirahu Ny’Igede and his subjects, Ode said “I am extremely sad that this is happening in Igede land. Crisis does no one good. The Igede nation is known for being industrious and I wonder why the continued crisis.”
Ode sympathized with the entire Igede nation and particularly Oju people over the unfortunate incident saying a summit will be held to deliberate on ways to ensuring lasting peace in Igede nation.
Ode promised the stakeholders that he will convey all their deliberations to the governor for immediate action.
Earlier, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Mrs. Evelyn Okwe, thanked the governor of the state and his deputy for their prompt response to the cries of Oju people and expressed confidence that the visit will bring about an end to the crisis.
Also speaking, His Royal Highness, Chief Oga Ero, appreciated the state Governor and his Deputy for acting promptly to the cry of Igede people saying the idea of setting up a Judicial commission of enquiry was a welcome development.
Chief Ero noted that boundaries issues have always been the challenges over the years in Igede nation and perpetrators of these crisis over the years have never been brought to book.
The First class Chief explained that the establishment of an institution by a son of the soil has generated a lot of uprising over ownership of the site for the establishment of the University of Technology and Applied Science and was totally surprised that Igede people can take up arms against one another.
“The kind of gun shots that I heard yesterday morning was last heard when I was in operation in Plateau state”.He said.
He appealed to the government to sustain its support to the traditional institution, promising that he will continue to do his best to ensure peace in his domain.
An anchor man of the University in Nigeria, Professor Johnson Agbenya explained that the lives of Igede people can not be substituted for a University and said the crisis was uncalled for.