Tiv/Jukun crisis: Benue, Taraba hold emergency meeting Monday

Governors of both Benue and Taraba States will be holding a joint security meeting on Monday in a bid to bring to an end the violence currently ravaging communities in both states.

Disclosing this in a statement yesterday, the acting Governor of Benue State, Engr Benson Abounu stated that the emergency joint Benue/Taraba State Security Council meeting, was part of the effort to proffer lasting solution to the communal crisis.

He said that the meeting would be co-chaired by the governors of the two states which would hold tomorrow (Monday) in Wukari, Taraba State.

The statement issued by his Press Secretary, Ogaba Ede condemned the use of violence in resolving conflicts, expressed shock stressed that despite the spirited efforts made over the past week by the two state governments at ending the crisis, the violence has continued unabated.

The acting governor recalled that only last week, a meeting held between the chairmen of Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala local government areas on the Benue Stateside and the chairmen of Wukari and Takum local government areas from Taraba State at the palace of the Uka, monarch of Wukari, during which a comprehensive peace agreement was signed.

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The agreement, which was signed by both parties, among them, the Jukun Development Association, called for a cessation of all forms of hostilities.

He further said that the continuous wanton killings and destruction of properties in Gbeji, Vaase and Jootar settlements is totally unacceptable.

He assured people of the state that the government will spare no effort to bring lasting peace to the troubled areas, just as the security forces shall intensify efforts to apprehend and bring to justice all known perpetrators of the violence.