The governor
of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, on Wednesday urged the government of Benue
State not to allow the activities of hoodlums in their area to plunge the two
states into crisis.
Umahi made
this known while interacting with the acting governor of Benue State, Engr
Benson Abounu and other delegation who stormed Ebonyi to pay the state a
condolence visit resulting from the alleged killing of six persons by Benue
people, which took place at government house Abakaliki.
Umahi,
represented by the deputy, Barr. Kelechi Igwe, lamented that the alleged gruesome
murder of six innocent Ebonyi farmers recently was unacceptable by the state
government and called on Benue state to ensure that the perpetrators are
brought to book.
He stated
that the boundary dispute between the two states has lasted for over twenty
years but frowned that the crisis was always renewed by citizens of Benue
State, who stormed Ebonyi to maim and kill its citizens.
“These
hoodlums are causing mayhem and at the end of the day. I am sure that at the
end of this condolence visit, we will take at least 20 minutes to sit down and
talk to ourselves on the need to once again maintain peace and order at that
boundary corridor” he stated.
He further
sympathized with Benue state government over the gruesome murder and maiming of
their citizens by suspected Boko Haram and herdsmen who allegedly invaded their
state.
“We pray
that the activities of Boko Haram and herdsmen should stop in Benue State,” he
added.
Responding,
the Benue state delegation led by the Acting governorm Engr. Benson Abounu,
said the purpose of their visit was to condole with Ebonyi State government
over the recent killing of their citizens by some hoodlums suspected to hail
from their state.
He, however,
made a cash donation of N2million naria to the families of the victims and
pledged the commitment of Benue State to ensure that the two states live in
peace.
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