Following the recent killings of about 12 soldiers in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State by local militias, the State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Monday said four suspects have been arrested and more arms have also been recovered.
Ortom who briefed journalists on Monday after an expanded Security Council meeting with stakeholders from Konshisha Local Government Area, said the military during the search operation recovered one AK-47.
He stated that efforts of the Security Council, traditional rulers led by Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden and Ter Ikyor, Chief Jam Gbinde as well as political leaders also led to the recovery of eight AK-47 rifles and one machine gun.
According to the Governor, the Security Council handed over to the police, the Deputy Chairman Konshisha Local Government Council, Hon Sam Kave, District Head of Iwarnyam, Chief Unaha Koko, Kindred Head of Mbator, Chief Emmanuel Achirgbenda and the Councilor representing Mbagusa-Mbatser Ward, Tersugh Mela.
Those handed over to the Police are to assist in the investigation that would lead to the recovery of the remaining arms and arrest of the killer militia group.
While the State Security Council also resolved that Governor Samuel Ortom leads a delegation to condole with the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari over the killing of the soldiers, the Council is also expected to visit Konshisha to assess the humanitarian situation in the area.
Governor Ortom said the Security Council appreciated the Minister of Defence and other Security Chiefs for allowing the Security Council to manage the situation, saying stakeholders cooperated well in the course of managing the crisis.
On the humanitarian crisis in Konshisha, Governor Ortom stated that the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, had already visited and assessed the situation with a view to providing relief to the victims.
