It was alleged that the military invasion followed the recent killing of 11 soldiers who were deployed to the area on a peacekeeping operation following renewed hostilities between Bonta village of Mbator in Shangev-Tiev of Konshisha LGA and Okpute-Ainu in Oju LGA of the state.
However, the Nigerian Army on Friday, described as “laughable’’, the claim by the residents that at least 70 innocent persons were killed during an invasion by soldiers.
Daily Trust reports that the latest alleged massacre by the Nigerian Army was coming 20 years after a similar incident at Zaki Biam in the state when over 100 civilians were killed and their houses destroyed.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called for restraint on all sides including the military following the crisis between communities in Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas of the state.
The Governor in a statement to DAILY POST on Friday said he has already directed leaders of the affected areas to ensure that the weapons the bandits took away from the military personnel deployed to bring peace between the warring communities are retuned without delay.
He further urged members of those communities to expose perpetrators of the unprovoked attacks on the military, as such an act is condemnable and also capable of jeopardizing the efforts Government has made to guarantee the return of peace to the area.
Renewed hostility broke between both communities five days ago and this led to the deployment of soldiers.
However, a local militia allegedly ambushed and killed 11 soldiers, a development which led to the military invasion.
Addressing a press conference in Makurdi, Benue capital, on Friday morning, a group known as Shangev-Tiev Assembly (STA), stated that at least 15 other surrounding communities have been destroyed by the military since the aerial and ground raid against the villagers began three days ago.
One Elder Tyoh Jude, who spoke on behalf of STA, said, “The army has so far razed and demolished farms, schools, hospitals and residences of Bonta, Tse-Jembe, Tse-Anyom, Gbinde, Mbaakpur, Aku, Agidi, Gungul, Adoka, Guleya, Awajir, Shiliki, Achoho and Ullam in Gwer Local Government Area, and are still planning to do same to other neighbouring towns within Konshisha LGA.
Daily Post Nigeria
Published
The Nigerian Army have allegedly killed over 70 residents of Mbator in Shangev-Tiev of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.
The soldiers allegedly invaded the community following the killing of about 10 personnel who were on stabilisation operation in the state over the communal clash between Konshisha and Oju Local Government Area.
DAILY POST had reported that the military, through its Director, Public Relations, Brig.-Gen Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed the killing of the officers, stating that they were initially declared missing.
Following the attack on the troops, the army allegedly invaded the community on Thursday, gunned down scores and set houses and other facilities ablaze.
BREAKING: How Nigerian Soldiers Killed Over 70 Innocent Persons, Demolished Farms, Schools, Hospitals – Benue Residents
The operation, which involved deployment of military helicopters using missile launchers, left scores of unarmed civilians dead and property said to worth billions of naira destroyed.
by SaharaReporters, New York
Apr 09, 2021
The people of Mbator in Shangev-Tiev of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday claimed that at least 70 innocent persons were killed during an invasion by soldiers.
The operation, which involved deployment of military helicopters using missile launchers, left scores of unarmed civilians dead and property said to worth billions of naira destroyed.