MAN KILLED AS PEACE ACCORD BETWEEN TWO BENUE WARRING COMMUNITIES BROKEN *Fears of reprisal attack loom

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MAN KILLED AS PEACE ACCORD BETWEEN TWO BENUE WARRING COMMUNITIES BROKEN

*Fears of reprisal attack loom

by James Ibechi 

 

Information reaching us indicated that the peace accord brokered by the Benue state government between the warring Bonta and Ukpute communities of Konshisha and Oju LGAs has been broken.

The threat to the ceasefire began when some of the displaced members of Ukpute community in Oju returned to their homes in a move to rebuild their destroyed houses were allegedly chased away through gunfire from the "enemy camp".

Also on Thursday a man simply named as John was ambushed and his motorcycle seized along Ukpute farm route by suspected men from Bonta.

John is an indigene of Obachita, Oju LGA.

The threat to the peace accord finally came to a head on Friday(today)with men from Bonta community of Konshisha allegedly attacking a farmer and his family members from Oju LGA, killing him in his farm in Ukpute.

The body of the man identified as Oga Icha, had since 5pm this evening been deposited at the General Hospital Morgue, Oju after taken to the police for report and necessary action.

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Following this sad development by the Bonta, Konshisha community, tension started building up in Oju and there was fear of reprisal or counter attack.

According to a top government official, however, Oju LG Chairman, Hon. Clement Onaa, had ordered security beef up in the area to forestall reprisal.

A community leader in Oju told jamesibechi.com that the Ukpute community was committed to the peace accord but could not tell whether or not there would be reprisal after the killing of Icha by suspected gunmen from Bonta.

Deputy Governor Engr. Benson Abounu brokered truce a week ago when he called leaders and traditional rulers of the warring communities to a peace meeting in Makurdi the state capital.

Multimillionnaira properties had been destroyed in the communal clash over land dispute and many lives had been claimed on both sides.

Bonta and Ukpute border communities are neighbours and share a lot in common.

jamesibechi.com gathered that the state government boundary commission is due in the area on Monday but the latest killing of the man from Oju, jeopardising the temporary peace, will likely prevent the boundary commission on its assignment.