From Msurshima Andrew, Makurdi
A socio-cultural group , Shangev-Tiev Assembly (STA) in Benue State, have called on the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to, as a matter of urgency, institute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the recent killing of six Tiv students College of Education (COE) Oju and punish those behind it.
The Assembly has also urged Governor Alia to immediately close down the College of Education (COE) Oju to save the lives of many Tiv students.
STA, an elite, socio-cultural group of the Shangev-Tiev people, made this call in a statement made signed by Sir Peter Vande and available to newsmen in Makurdi, on Wednesday.
The group which described as “misleading and false, the narratives spread by the Igede Youth Council and those credited to the Member representing Oju/Obi Federal Constituency at the National Assembly regarding the ongoing conflict between Bonta and Ukpute communities, in Konshisha and Oju LGA of Benue State respectively, said the are responding to st the records straight.
While urging the public to disregard the narratives from the Igede Youth Council’s press conference, the explained that “The chaotic reality of the Bonta-Ukpute conflict was that the Ukpute community, brazenly backed by certain elected officials, influential retired and active senior Army officers, and senior Igede lawyers, has not only thwarted every peace initiative from the Benue State Government and respected NGOs like the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) but has also fueled animosity.”
According to them, due to the persistent crisis, many Shangev-Tiev and other Tiv people have lost their lives and property worth millions of Naira.
As a result, they said the College of Education Oju has become a high risk environment for Tiv students, who have been slaughtered in numbers and who still face constant threats from Ukpute militia.
They said six Tiv students were gruesomely murdered recently by the Ukpute militia while returning home after collecting the originals of their results to partake in the recent SUBEB’s CBT for employment.
“The Shangev-Tiev Assembly hereby requests the Governor as Visitor to the school to immediately close down the College of Education Oju to save the lives of many Tiv students and also institute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate and recommend appropriate sanction to Government.
It is on record that the Ukpute community has consistently employed various tactics to thwart Governor Alia’s peace initiatives. For instance, on September 23rd, 2024 on the day of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s address at a media parley in Abuja, Ukpute militia launched an attack on Jembe village, killing Aondona Ubashi on his farm.
“This incident exemplifies Ukpute’s blatant disregard for peace and their determination to perpetuate violence.”
Part of the statement captioned “A Call for Action: Justice and Protection of Bonta” the group, while acknowledging the efforts of Governor Hyacinth Alia through the office of the Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Ode who have initiated the boundary reestablishment project, appealed to the state government to speedily execute the project to completion in order to restore lasting peace in the area.
They also called on the Federal, State and Local Governments as well as all NGOs, donor and humanitarian agencies around the world to come to their aide as the ongoing violence against Bonta community has created a humanitarian emergency with hundreds of families displaced, homes destroyed, farm produce destroyed and children left without food nor shelter.
“We humbly 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.”
