By Emmanuel Ashingyu
Ukum Development Association (UDA), has commended Governor Samuel Ortom for ensuring that peace returns to Sankera geo-political axis and other parts of the Benue State.
A statement signed by its President, Chief Boga Abuul and the Secretary, Mr Daniel Dooga, also commended the Military High Command, Abuja, Operation Whirl Stroke and other security operatives for ensuring that crime wave was reduced to the barest minimum in the state.
The association however, lamented the invasion of the palace of Mue U Ter – Ucha, Chief Utambe Nyagba, by people suspected to be soldiers who burnt down his warehouse, farm produce, abducted him and allegedly looted two of his vehicles.
The national secretariat flayed the soldiers for also invading the palace of the District Head of Lumbuv in Ucha, Chief Timothy Kwaghbo and for allegedly vandalizing his house and looting his foodstuff and livestock.
The UDA appealed to Governor Ortom and the Military High Command, Abuja, to prevail on the irate soldiers to respect the rules of engagement in their operations and urged the command to investigate acts of human rights violations meted to the two traditional rulers and bring the culprits to justice.
They charged the military and other security operatives to follow due process in tackling crime in the area, instead of resulting to ordeal trial on accused persons.
The association also urged the people of Ucha community to remain calm and continue to co-operate with the state government and security agencies as it was doing everything possible that justice prevails.
In another development, the National Secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has directed the Benue State Council of the union to reverse its decision of dissolving Ukum Branch 2 of the union.
The General Secretary of NURTW, Comrade Kabir Adayawo, in a statement, noted that no state council has the power to establish or dissolve a branch under its jurisdiction without obtaining approval from the national administrative council.
Comrade Adayawo further directed the state council to immediately withdraw the dissolution against the Ukum Branch II executives.
