BY QUADRI SALIU
Governor Ortom of Benue State has led top government functionaries to sue for peace among warring Bonta and Ukpute communities, adding that there was no reason to kill themselves over trivial issues.
It was gathered that the long time crisis between the two communities had in recent times claimed several lives and properties including those of twelve military personnel.
Hence Governor Ortom stormed the communities begging the warring neighbouring communities of Bonta in Konshisha Local Government Area, LGA, and Ukpute Oju LGA of the state to sheathe their sword and embrace peace.
Ortom, in his visit to the warring communities, on Monday took along top government functionaries including Senators Abba Moro and Gabriel Suswam as well as security personnel.
The Governor who sued for peace pointed out that without peace there would be no meaningful development in the communities stressing that the people should allow peace reign as nothing could be compared to peace.
“There should be no more hostilities. I enjoin you to embrace peace and dialogue because without it there cannot be meaningful development,” he said.
Earlier Senators Gabriel Suswam and Abba Moro had appealed to the youths of the two warring communities to embrace peace and stop further hostilities.
The lawmakers who promised that they would not rest on their oars until peace finally returned to the areas, pleaded with the people to give them the opportunity to end the crisis and put them back on the track of peace.
Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden who represented Tor Tiv, and Oche Otukpo-Ohimini, Chief Mike Okochi representing the Och’Idoma commended the peace initiative of the Governor, saying with his determination, the two communities would witness peace again.
