Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has once again appealed to the military authorities for a ceasefire in the ongoing operation in parts of Konshisha Local Government Area of the State.
The Governor also urged community leaders to expose those who carried out the unprovoked attack on the military leading to the death of an officer and 10 other soldiers.
In a statement on Friday, Governor Ortom while addressing the recent crisis between communities in Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas,said the appeal became necessary to prevent the loss of more innocent lives in the affected communities.
Ortom sympathized with the victims and assured the people that his administration will ensure that no more lives are lost.
The governor disclosed that in an effort to find a solution to the crisis, he set up a Boundary Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu to resolve the land dispute in collaboration with the National Boundary Commission.
The Committee had fixed a date for the demarcation of the area in contention when renewed violence broke out between the Bonta Community of Konshisha Local Government Area and Okpute Community of Oju Local Government Area.
Ortom assured the people that his administration is determined to see the end of the crisis and will support security agencies to fish out those fomenting trouble.
He, however, urged the military to avoid civilian casualties and protect law abiding people while efforts are on to recover their missing weapons.
Meanwhile, he directed the Local Government Chairman, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to see that the remaining arms are recovered.
However, he appealed to those fuelling the crisis in the media to desist from the act and support the government instead.
Thereafter, he gave an assurance that his administration will ensure the demarcation of the boundary between the Bonta community of Konshisha and Okpute in Oju.
