Warring Bonta and Okpute communities are advised to practise peace in Benue

Fr Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue State, has urged the Okpute and Bonta communities, which have been at war, to put down their weapons and practise brotherly love.

There has been a protracted communal crisis between the two nearby communities, which has resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of property.

In an effort to de-escalate their rekindled issue, Gov. Alia made the appeal during peace sessions with the villages.

The Governor stated that peace remained the only guaranteed path to development through his commissioners for agriculture, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, and humanitarian and disaster management, Aondowase Kunde.

The meeting was attended by the security adviser, two state senators, and a delegation of two commissioners.

Youths from both neighbourhoods demonstrated in the streets on Saturday in opposition to the area’s recent security lapses.

Kunde appealed to the Bonta people to put down their weapons and allow their region to experience growth by establishing peace.

Without peace, he contends, their socioeconomic existence and progress will be impacted.

Regardless of the amount of agitation, he advised everyone to maintain composure and peace but to report to the appropriate authorities.

“Peace is why we’re here. We ought to be celebrating right now. God sent his son, Alia, to brighten our days because we in Benue have through so much suffering in the past.

“As a result, we shouldn’t use violence again.

It is my objective to provide help to the people, not to intervene to resolve the problem, as the commissioner of humanitarian and disaster management.

At Okpute, Professor Ogbaji urged the teenagers to abstain from using weapons, emphasising that “dialogue and peace are the way to go.”

The young people were encouraged by Prof. Ogbaji to get involved in worthwhile projects and to keep using the government-subsidized fertilisers and other agriculture supplies that are accessible to them.

Blessed Onah, the member for the Oju I state constituency, informed the crowd that “conflict has no customer, just as there is no substitute for peace.

According to Joseph Har, the special adviser on security issues, the Benue government could deal with any troublemaker but chose to engage in conversation.

He once more urged the populace to back the government and give peace a chance to advance and grow their local communities and the state as a whole.

Ahula Akpile spoke up on behalf of the Bonta people and praised the delegation for their quick reaction to the issue. She also promised their support and allegiance to the Benue government.