By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi –
The host community under auspices of the supreme council of Mbayion traditional rulers and community leaders has condemned in strong terms the security breaches in some parts of the community which led to the burning down of a house belonging to a relative of the former Benue State Governor, Aper Aku in Gboko.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the joint emergency meeting of the traditional rulers, community leaders and prominent sons of the area.
The communique which was signed by Zaki Kunav Anum, Tyoor Mbatyu/Chairman, Supreme Council of Mbayion Traditional Rulers and Mr Orver Yongu, President General, Yion Development Association, (YIDA) among others.
The joint meeting which was held at the residence of Mue Ter Gboko, Chief Joseph Ikpa Ahua strongly condemned the attack and burning of a house located at Adi Agor Village, owned by one Mrs. Comfort Isaac Tyungu Aku, describing the action as callous and alien to the culture and tradition of the people of Mbayion.
According to the communique, the council equally condemned reported hostile actions against security agencies who were drafted to keep peace in the area, to prevent the situation from escalating.
The Council, the communique revealed, restated the sustained faith and belief of Mbayion people in the principles of peace, non-violent ways of resolving conflicts and accommodation of all law abiding citizens within their locality.
The host community, the communique continued has been known for their humanity and for always being their brothers’ keepers, which has informed the rapid growth and expansion of Gboko town.
“The Council used this occasion to inform all and sundry of the historic, cordial, and respectful relationship between the Mbayion Clan and the late Aper Aku family.
“In their usual peaceful and honest nature, the Mbayion people unreservedly returned to the late Akua Aku, a large parcel of land of 8 100×100 plots in the heart of Gboko town, which our respected former Governor, the late Aper Aku, bought in his lifetime from a Mbayion vendor. The vendor involved leaders of the Mbayion clan to voluntarily and willingly handed over the said parcel of land to the late Akua Aku at a meeting he attended with his kinsmen, including Elder Atsaga Anemba and other Elders of his immediate Community of Mbakuha.”
The communique cautioned against sensational reportage of the situation and hasty generalisations about the incidence, urging the general public to allow security agencies to dutifully conduct their investigations with a view to unraveling all issues and bringing every culprit to justice.
The Council also resolved to strengthen neighbourhood watch within its domain, to improve intelligence gathering towards maintenance of security, peace and good order even as it also resolved to cooperate with security agencies in their investigation of the incidence.
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