Ortom Calls For Peace And Understanding Between Jukun And Tiv People

Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom has sued for peace and mutual understanding among the Jukun and Tiv people living on the border communities of Benue and Taraba states following recent crisis which had forced many people to flee their homes.

While he sympathized with the victims of the crisis, the governor condemned the conflict which led to the loss of lives and destruction of property as well as rendered many people homeless.

A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said, the governor disclosed that he and his Taraba state counterpart, Governor Darius Ishaku have taken far-reaching measures to end the conflict and restore lasting peace to the border communities.

He, therefore, appealed to the people of the affected communities to support the peace initiatives of the governments of the two states in order to prevent further conflicts in the area.

He assured that security agencies have been directed to apprehend perpetrators of the violence for prosecution.

Ortom further stressed the need for Jukun and Tiv in particular to emulate the example set by their sons, the Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Diocese of Jos and Most Reverend Father James Bature whose peacebuilding efforts have immensely contributed to settling the age-long rivalry between the two ethnic groups spread across Taraba and Benue states.

The governor maintained that there is no alternative to peace, which was why he promptly directed his Security Adviser to visit Taraba state shortly after the unfortunate incident where he held meetings with key stakeholders including the Aku Uka of Wukari, as well as Chairmen of Ukum (Benue) and Wukari (Taraba) local government areas.

Meanwhile, Naija News understands that the Benue and Taraba States are two states that have been troubled by the recent Fulani-herdsmen crisis among others.