Chief Engineer is Kwande’s paramount ruler and the head of the Local Government Traditional Council. Following the deaths of mourners in Jato-Aka, Timothy Ahile, also known as Ter Kwande, has called for the Nigerian Army to immediately evacuate its troops from Kwande Local Government Area.
On October 1, one day after attending the funeral of the late Ortar Zaki Hanave Laha, the clearly distressed king traveled to Turan to see Jato-Aka.
Reports surfaced during his visit that a number of students and other mourners were shot dead on their way back from the deceased’s home in Nzaav.
As part of the tour, Ter Kwande spoke with Kwande LGA Vice Chairman Hon. The council chairman’s representative, Mrs. Rita Sundah Iortsor, and Comr. The Kwande United People Organization (KWUPO) National President, Aloko Nachi, vehemently denounced the murders.
He criticized the soldiers stationed in the region for their “unprofessional and brutal conduct.”
The king insisted that police take the place of the soldiers, saying, “I have reported this ugly development to both Tor Tiv and Tor Kwande.”
“The Nigerian Army needs to depart because they have betrayed us over the years.”
As for him, Comr. Nachi promised that KWUPO would take legal action against the Army and the culpable soldiers in order to obtain justice for the victims.
He went on to say that the organization will help the injured who were being treated in hospitals. In addition, Nachi disclosed that Governor Hyacinth Alia had pledged to travel to Turan in order to address the problem.
Hon. In a moving speech, Mrs. Iortsor implored the inhabitants to maintain their composure while leaders sought restitution. She assured that forces based in Jato-Aka will be removed, calling the soldiers’ acts “brutal and unjust.”
While they awaited the conclusion of the legal and security procedures, the leaders also urged the populace to preserve peace and order.
