Border strifes: states exchange kidnapped indigenes

The Benue State Government on Friday, August 14, in Makurdi handed over three indigenes of Taraba, kidnapped during the communal crises between their border communities, to the state governor, Dickson Ishaku.

Handing over the released indigenes, on behalf of Benue’s Gov. Samuel Ortom, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Targema Takema, urged border communities to imbibe the culture of peaceful co-existence.

"The present administration is determined to unravel the real reasons behind the lingering communal crises between the border communities for the purpose of amicable resolution,’’ he said.

At the occasion, two Benue indigenes who were kidnapped by border communities in Taraba state during communal disputes were also released.

Also speaking, while handing over kidnapped Benue indigenes to the Benue government, Ishaku said it was important for the border communities to live in peace.

"However, both governments will need to educate their people on the imperatives of peaceful co-existence, and the two states must be committed to peace initiatives,’’ the governor, who was represented by an Taraba government official, Anthony Joloson, said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the border communities in both states had been engaged in inter-border skirmishes resulting into loss of property and lives.