Kwande killings: Benue group seeks Tinubu’s intervention

….demands withdrawal of Army from community

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

A socio-cultural group, Turan Development Association (TUDA),has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia to take decisive steps to prevent Turan and Kwande from degenerating into another Zamfara scenario.

Towards this end, the group has called for immediate withdrawal of the Nigerian Army from Turanland in Kwande local government area of Benue State, to be replace by the Nigeria Mobile Police, who have a better record of community policing.

The group in a statement signed by its President General, Festus Iorkyaa, and Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Ijever, which was made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday, stated that the urgent call became necessary following the murder of mourners in Jato-Aka, Kwande LGA of the State.

They gave the names of those killed by the ministry during the burial of their revered elder and kindred Head of Nzaav, Chief Hanave Laha, to includes; Tersoo Msughter -Student, Turan Community Secondary School, Jato-Aka, Suur Atee – Student, same school, Miss Hiinengen Asongo (14) – Pupil, ATM Divine Nursery & Primary School, Jato-Aka, Mr. Aondoakura Shija (25) – Vigilante at Jato-Aka, Turan and Mr. Iorsuur Abuul (25) – Vigilante at Jato-Aka, Turan.

Others injured and hospitalized include: Terlumun Menenge, Sefa Aondoakula, Washima Aondoakula, Imoter Alu, Terlumun Iorkise, Tarlumun Ben, Sonnen Maav, and Menenge Terlumun.

According to TUDA, soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Jato-Aka communities, had demanded ₦1 million to escort the remains of Chief Hanave Laha to Dzaav for burial, rejecting the ₦460,000 offered them for logistics.

It further said the Moon Community Vigilante, in an act of courage, successfully facilitated the burial with dignity, attended by Ter Kwande and other traditional rulers, without the involvement of the Army and hours later, Army personnel reported that traditional gun salutes were performed at the burial – a longstanding Tiv custom to honour a deceased chief using dane guns.

“Angered at being excluded from the burial and losing “escort fees,” the Army personnel posted to JatoAka demanded that the Vigilante produce the den guns used in traditional gun salute ceremony at the burial.

“In the confrontation, Captain Mohammed Ahmed of Operation Whirl Stroke allegedly ordered the execution of two unarmed Vigilante leaders, Mr. Iorsuur Abuul (25) and Mr. Akula Shija (25).

“Protests broke out around 2pm as schools closed. The  Soldiers had earlier arrested and placed Chief Simon Baver, Mue-Ter Ichongo, and Chief Msuega Abeebe, District Head of Yaav, in a so-called protective custody, heightening tensions.

“The Army opened fire during the unrest which occurred at about 2pm, killing two students in school uniforms and injuring four others”, the statement said.

TUDA also demanded for investigation and prosecution of Captain Mohammed Ahmed and his men by the National Human Rights Commission or a Judicial Commission of Inquiry for these extrajudicial killings.

Parts of the statement also read : “we demand immediate reconstruction of the Turan Traditional Council Hall/Office and the Residence of the Mue-Ter, destroyed as part of the fallout of the crisis.

“An end to extortion and abuse by soldiers in Turanland, including the unlawful taxation of motorists, motorcyclists, villagers, and the shameful practice of demanding “escort fees” for burials and an end into the activities of the Army in JatoAka, Turan which has constituted themselves into private security guards for Chinese Miners in the Community.

“Turan, and indeed the whole of Kwande Local Government Area has lost confidence in the Nigerian Army’s operations in Turanland. Instead of offering protection, the Army has become an instrument of intimidation, extortion, and violence against our vulnerable people, most of whom are internally displaced persons”.