The Benue State Security Council has said that it is set to meet with stakeholders from Sankera, following the interception and killing of the repentant militia leader, Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana by men of the Nigerian Army.
Governor Samuel Ortom who announced this at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi while briefing journalists after the State Security Council meeting said the move would review the situation in Sankera following the incident.
He said the council also resolved to continue with the amnesty program to cover those who retreated, even as he allayed the fears of the repentant youths who may be intending to be part of the program
Ortom further explained that the 42 youths from Logo were successfully profiled and allowed to go back home, pointing out that a committee headed by Security Adviser to the Governor, retired Col. Paul Hembah was constituted to work out some support for the repentant youths.
He said his Special Advisers on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as that of Special Duties, elder Jerome Torshimbe, and Hon. Joseph Odaudu would also be part of the committee.
The Council Chairmen of Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum Local Government would also be co-opted into the committee whose responsibility also includes identification of skills of the repentant youths for necessary intervention.
Also, security has been beefed up in Sankera to prevent the breakdown of law and order as a result of the death of Gana,” he said.
The Governor, however, commended the peaceful disposition of the people of Sankera in spite of the incident and urged them to sustain the conduct as everything was being done to ensure the security of lives and property.
