The executive chairman of Oju local government area of Benue state, Hon Jackson Ominyi Ada, has assured residents of Ukpute community of divine intervention and timely response of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia with the view to bringing respite to their current trauma.
The community has been embroiled in communal crisis with the Bonta people of Konshisha local government area of the state, leading to killings, destruction of properties and displacements from their ancestral homes.
Breathing assurance to the people at Kumaye IDP camp while paying an assessment visit to Ukpute on Sunday, Hon Ominyi described the development as avoidable, stressing that his local government, in liaison with the state would mobilise resources, particularly relief materials, to assuage their current hardship.
A press statement issued by the special adviser on media to the chairman, Mr Mike Alewu, Monday, said “While evaluating the extent of the devastation faced by the people, the executive chairman, Hon Jackson Ominyi used the opportunity to express sympathy for the losses endured during the crisis.
“The chairman emphasised the importance of the visit as it enabled him to conduct a personal evaluation of the situation aimed at facilitating prompt action in partnership with both the state and federal governments.
“He also assured that he plans to formally request the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) to provide relief materials for the affected individuals to help alleviate their hardships. He noted that high-level discussions are currently taking place between government officials from both local councils, aimed at resolving the conflicts.”
The statement also quoted Hon Ominyi as urging the community to be patient, and emphasised that swift actions were being taken to facilitate the return of the residents to their ancestral homes.
The traditional ruler of Ainu-Ette, Chief Sunday Ihwe, expressed gratitude for the chairman’s visit and urged him to do all in his power to foster lasting peace in the community.
Also, a youth leader, Mr. Mike Ubeh, commended the chairman for the visit but voiced his concern over the lack of food supply in the area since the crisis resurfaced about four months ago.
Those in the company of Hon Ominyi included the chief of staff to the chairman, Chief Joseph Ogbu Utah; APC chairman for Oju local government, Mr. Mike Onah; and senior media adviser, Mr. Mike Alewu.
