The Association of Lawyers from Conflict Zones has urged the Benue State Goverment to put an immediate end to the invasion of Ukpute Community in Oju Local Government Area of Benue state by the Bonta militia and their collaborators.
The Association gave the warning in a statement signed by its President, John Owulo Esq on Thursday and made available to newsmen.
Owulo called for the immediate deployment of security personnel to the conflict area.
“We believe such an initiative will minimise further loss of lives, destruction of property and mass suffering of the displaced persons, especially women and children, in the area.
“It will also send the right signal to the militia who have acted with impunity by repeatedly frustrating government’s efforts at restoring peace through boundary demarcation’’.
He said that government’s silence in the face of serial violations of its instructions, initiatives and the on-going fighting has a potential for people misreading the situation or drawing the wrong conclusions.
“We believe a robust security presence in the conflict area will not only bring to an end the unfolding tragedy, but will also serve as a deterrent to trouble makers or violators of peace agreements.
“We similarly urge the state government to, as a matter of urgency, put in place ways, means and processes that would lead to the establishment of a permanent security post between Ukpute and Bonta communities’’.
He said that fighting broke out on June 14 when the regrouped Bonta militia, apparently not satisfied with the terms and conditions of peace brokered by the state government, invaded Ukpute.
“The slaughter of women and children has gone on unabated since then. “The same conflict had snowballed into the killing of a Captain and eleven soldiers earlier in the year by the same Bonta militia,’’ Owulo added.
