Benue monarch flees as Tiv, Jukun clash over fish ponds

Scores of people were reportedly injured while many houses were burnt following a violent clash between the Tiv and Jukun communities in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Wednesday.

The clash, it was gathered, occurred between the two communities in Makurdi riverside over ownership of fish ponds in the area.

The traditional ruler of the community was also said to have fled to an unknown destination after his home was set ablaze by the rampaging youths.

However, the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, while reacting to the incident on Thursday, ordered the security operatives to take control of the area and arrest the perpetrators of the clash.

Ortom, who received briefings on the incident from security agents and the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government, Mr. Tony Dyegeh, called on the two communities to cease hostilities without delay.

The governor said: “The perpetrators of this violent clash that has led to several injuries and properties destroyed must be brought to book. We cannot tolerate a situation where people take laws into their hands.

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“No matter the amount of anger in a man’s mind, the resort to violence cannot be a solution. Resort to self-help can only aggravate the situation. There are many legitimate channels to resolve disputes. No one should take the law into his hands.”

The governor further warned that the state government will bring the full weight of the law on anybody or community that perpetuates violence and disrupt the peace of the land henceforth.

He, therefore, urged the people to be law-abiding just as he assured them that the government will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for the residents of the state to carry out their legitimate business in the state.

TheStar