Benue govt condemns communal clash, deploys troops, calls for lasting peace

The Benue State Government has issued a statement condemning a recent communal conflict between residents of the Kaambe Council Ward in Guma Local Government Area and the Mbachaverikondo Council Ward in Tarka Local Government Area.

Chief Solomon Iorpev, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, made the announcement on Wednesday. He noted that while no lives were lost in the incident, the government strongly denounced the destruction of property and looting that occurred in the affected communities.

Iorpev characterized the clash as both unacceptable and avoidable, emphasizing that it undermines the longstanding unity historically shared by the residents of the area. He pointed out that Benue State has faced significant external security challenges over the years, stressing the need for its citizens to come together against outside threats rather than turn against each other.

“Benue citizens at this point in history cannot afford to be their own enemy while facing threats from outside our borders. Our strength lies in our unity, not our division,” Iorpev stated.

The commissioner warned that the violence could have lasting repercussions, potentially setting communities back significantly and making the process of recovery and rebuilding much longer, thereby exacerbating hardship. He remarked that such conflicts not only damage physical property but also destroy years of progress, impede development, and harm local residents.

Iorpev reaffirmed the commitment of the Alia administration to safeguarding lives and property throughout the state, promoting development, and protecting Benue from external threats. He urged residents of both Kaambe and Mbachaverikondo, along with communities across the state, to embrace peace, exercise restraint, and refrain from violence and retaliatory actions.

“There can be no meaningful development in the midst of crisis,” he noted, urging citizens to play their role in fostering and maintaining peace within the state.

In response to the situation, Iorpev indicated that security agencies have been instructed to deploy to the affected areas to restore order, protect residents, and identify those responsible for the destruction and looting for prosecution in accordance with the law.

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