LG Chairman Wants Compensation For 300 Houses Burnt In Benue

Rampaging soldiers set Benue community on fire

The Chairman, Gwer West Local Government in Benue, Mr Francis Ayaga, has implored the government to compensate owners of houses allegedly burnt in Naka town by angry soldiers, on April 18.

Naija News recalls that angry soldiers invaded Naka town and raze down building in revenge for one of it that was mobbed to death by angry youth.

Ayaga, in an interaction with newsmen on Wednesday in Naka, said that 300 houses were burnt down, adding, however, that the soldiers did not shoot anyone.

He said that many people collapsed at the sight of their houses on fire, declaring that the soldiers’ action was “certainly wrong”.

“Many people were hospitalised due to heart attack. Some people just could not stand the sight of all their belongings on fire,” he said.

Ayaga, who described the arson as “quite pathetic and unfortunate,” however, admitted that a soldier was indeed killed, and blamed hoodlums in the area for the incident.

“When we learnt of the incident, we quickly rushed to the area and fished out the culprits and handed them over to the Army.

“We also pleaded with the soldiers not to descend on the entire community, but they did not heed our prayers,” he said.

He stated that it is unfortunate the the angry soldiers would act the way they did as two wrong cannot make a right.

“Two wrongs do not make a right; the Army should have dealt with the perpetrators, but its personnel chose to hit many innocent others. I think that was definitely wrong,” he said.

Ayaga, in an interaction with newsmen on Wednesday in Naka, said that 300 houses were burnt down, adding, however, that the soldiers did not shoot anyone.

he was of the opinion that the killing of the soldier in question was a case of mistaken identity. He, however want the federal and state government to compensate the people of the community for their lose.

Meanwhile, the people of Benue State are thrown into mourning again as gunmen suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen invaded a church and killed 19 people including two priest.