By Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has called on traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas (Sankera) to rise up and collectively work towards ending banditry activities for the inhabitants to enjoy peace and development in the axis.
The governor made the call at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala while addressing mourners who gathered to pay their last respect to their late King, His Royal Highness, late Chief Abu King Shuluwa.
Alia said the late King died fighting for the peace of his subjects adding that his death should also mark the end of banditry in the area.
He said until peace return in the three LGAs development would continue to elude them as nobody would invest in an insecure environment.
The governor further appealed to those in the bush to return home adding that he has good plans for them and promised that at the appropriate time the Sankera traditional council would sit and decide where the new king would come, adding that the right thing must be done.
Also former governor of the state, Sen Gabriel Suswam said the late king was a fulfilled man who was outspoken and a courageous man.
Suswam said the people of Sankera have lost a great man who never had enemies despite his several years in politics before he became king.
On the appointment of the new Tor Sankera, he said it was the constitutional responsibility of the Govemor to appoint second and first class chiefs in the State and reiterated that the governor must ensure that the new Tor Sankara should be someone who would permanently reside in Sankara domain, not someone who would be ruling from Sankara axis.
The former governor stressed that, though he had no preferred candidate, he would monitor the process to ensure that the right thing was done.
Also the immediate past Governor of the State, Chief Samuel Ortom said Chief Shuluwa would be greatly missed.
Ortom who was represented by Dr Cletus Tyokyaa, urged the people of Sankera to give peace a chance for development to strive.
In his funeral oration, the Tiv paramount ruler, Tor Tiv , Prof James Ayatse, said King Shuluwa was buried as a proper Tiv Traditional Ruler.
Represented by Tor Kwande, HRM Chief Ambrose Iyorter, Prof Ayatse sues for peace in Sankera axis of the State which has witnessed unprecedented bandits’ activities for over a decade now.
The Tiv Paramount ruler further appealed to the youths in the area to drop their daggers and give peace a chance.
