Rev. Alia sets up commission of enquiry over Oju, Igbilla crises
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
The Deputy Governor of Benue State Barr. Sam Ode Mni has disclosed that the Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia led government will set up a commission of enquiry to ascertain the remote causes of the lingered crisis between Igbilla and Oju communities with a view to sanction perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others.
The Deputy Governor expressed sadness over the crisis on Monday while addressing the Igede First class chief, His Royal Highness Oga Ero, ADIRAHU NY’ IGEDE and his subjects during his on the spot assessment of the crisis in his palace.
“I am extremely sad that this is happening in Igede land, crisis does no one good. The Igede nation is known for being industrious and wondered why the continued crisis,” Ode frowned.
Ode sympathized with the entire Igede nation and particularly Oju over the unfortunate incident.
The Deputy Governor also disclosed that a summit will be held to deliberate on ways to ensuring lasting peace in Igede nation and the summit will enable put an end to the crisis permanently.
He assured that he will not hesitate to use the instrument of government to ensure peace in Igede nation.
Ode assured the stakeholders that he will convey all their deliberations to the governor for immediate solution.
Earlier, the Chairman of Oju local government area, Hon. Mrs. Evelyn Okwe, thanked the Governor of the State and his deputy for their prompt response to the cries of Oju people and wished him a successful on the spot assessment visit to Oju local government area.
Earlier, His Royal Highness Chief Oga Ero, appreciated the state Governor and his Deputy for acting promptly to the cry of Igede people.
He also subscribed to the idea of setting up a Judicial commission of enquiry by the state government and noted that boundaries has always been the challenges over the years in Igede nation and perpetrators of these crisis over the years have never been brought to book.
The First class Chief explained that the establishment of an institution by a son of the soil has also generated a lot of uprising over ownership of the site for the establishment of the university of Technology and Applied Science.and was totally surprised that Igede people can take arms against each other.
“The kind of gun shots that I heard yesterday morning was last heard when I was in operation in Plateau state,”he said.
He appealed to the government to sustain its support to the traditional institution, promising that he will continue to do his best for peace to reign.
Speaking, Daniel Ulegede and. Chris Ijare second class chiefs of Oju and Obi respectively expressed appreciation to the Governor for the prompt response and urged the government to deploy more security personnel to the area.
They further revealed that some elders were behind the crisis and until they are brought to book, they won’t be peace.
An anchor man of the University in Nigeria, Professor Johnson Agbenya explained that the lives of Igede people can not be substituted for a University and said the crisis was uncalled for.
On his part, Professor Ode Ojowu, thanked the Governor for the prompt response and stated that there was no need for the crisis as the ground breaking ceremony of the university was suspended due to the misunderstanding
He emphasized the need for the spirit of consensus and compromise for development to thrive in Igede land.
“The community must agree to conceed for the development of Igede nation. He stressed that the university must be established.” He stated.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that the Deputy Governor’s was taken round the affected areas by the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area Hon. Mrs. Evelyn Okwe to assess the level of damages caused by the crisis.
