The Benue State Government on Friday in Makurdi handed over three indigenes of Taraba State kidnapped during the communal crises between their border communities, to the state Governor, Dickson Ishaku.
Handing over the released indigenes on behalf of Benue State’s Governor Samuel Ortom, the Secretary to the State Government, 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,” Takema said.
The SSG however commended officials of the border communities for releasing the kidnapped people.
At the occasion, two Benue State indigenes, who were kidnapped by border communities in Taraba State during communal disputes, were also released.
Also speaking, while handing over kidnapped Benue State indigenes to the Benue State 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 a Taraba State Government official, Anthony Joloson, said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the border communities in both states had been engaged in inter-border skirmishes resulting into loss of property and lives.
NAN.