Benue State Security Council has disclosed that four persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of soldiers by bandits in Bonta Community of Konshisha Local Government Area of the state.
The four persons including two traditional rulers, the deputy Chairman of Konshisha and the Councilor of Mbatser/ Mbaguaza have been handed over to the police, State Governor Samuel Ortom has said.
The Governor who stated this at the end of an expanded state Security Council Meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi on Monday, also disclosed that 10 weapons including one machine gun and eight AK-47 that were taken away from the soldiers have been recovered.
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“We have been able to do a lot. One AK-47 was recovered by the military while eight others were recovered by the stakeholders through dialogue. That means that nine out 12 AK47 as well as the machine gun that were taken away from the vehicle have also been recovered and handed over to the military. Three more yet to be recovered.”
He listed the names of those who were handed over to the police as Sam Kave (Deputy Chairman), Tersoo Mela (Councillor), Chief Emmanuel Adegbenda (Kindred Head of Mbator) as well as District Head of Iwuarayam, Chief Unaha Koko.
The Governor maintained that the people were handed over to the police to ensure that those who committed the crime are arrested and brought to book.
Ortom also said that the Security Council resolved that he would lead a delegation to President Muhammadu to condole him on what happened in Konshisha.
He thanked the Defence Minister and other top military officers for allowing the stakeholders to recover the arms.
On the humanitarian crisis arising from the crisis, the Governor said the Executive Secretary of State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Dr. Emmanuel Shior had visited the area and submitted a report to see how all those who were affected would also be assisted.
He said the State Security Council would also be visiting Konshisha to access the situation while the State Executive Council will look at what will be appropriate to give to families of those soldiers who were killed.
