Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has announced the arrest of four persons in connection with the the killing of 11 soldiers and a captain in Bonta village on April 5, 2021.
The four persons arrested included two officials of Konshisha LGA and two traditional rulers
The announcement may not be unconnected with the resolve of the governor to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that all the perpetrators of the act were apprehended and brought to book.
Ortom made the promise in his oration at the burial of the slain soldiers.
The governor regretted the soldiers had to die in the hands of the militias while trying to maintain peace in the troubled areas in the state.
“I condole Mr. President who is the Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces, the Chief of Army Staff and indeed the leadership of our security forces in the country.
“On behalf of government and people of Benue State, we condemn the killing of our innocent soldiers who were out there to keep peace in our state.
“It is unfortunate that this incident took place. I want the Nigerian army, the families of the deceased and indeed all Nigerians to know that the attack on security personnel is an attack on all.
“This attack was unwarranted, it was not needed because all these patriotic soldiers were there to keep peace and that was why they were ambushed. Otherwise, we all know what soldiers can do and the capacity they have to defend themselves.
“So we condemn this and we want to assure everyone that my government will join hands with the security forces to ensure that all those who perpetrated this sad act are brought to book.” he had said.
But today, Ortom said the arrest was part of the resolution of the state’s security council.
Those arrested are Sam Kave, deputy chairman, Konshisha LGA; Tersoo Mela, councillor representing Mbatser/Mbaguza ward; Unaha Koko, the district head of Iwarnyam and Emmanuel Adegbenda, head of Bonta.
Reading the resolutions of the security council, the governor said the four suspects had useful information that could lead to the arrest of the killers of the soldiers.
The soldiers were killed on April 5 while on an operation to restore peace between warring communities in Konshisha and Oju LGAs.
Ortom said the council in collaboration with other stakeholders had recovered eight AK-47 machine guns.
“The council commended the minister of defence and service chiefs for allowing the state government and its security council to wade into the matter and help recover the lost weapons instead of the military going to do so themselves,” he said.
“Since then, we have not slept. We did everything to ensure that we recover the arms and by the grace of God we are able to recover eight AK47 plus the one the army recovered themselves earlier making it nine.
“We also recovered the machine gun that the militia took from them too and all the recovered weapons have been handed over to the army already.”
The governor said Benue state executive council will meet to discuss how to assist the families of the 12 military personnel.
