The Nigerian Airforce on Wednesday rendered over 100 civilians homeless in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital.
This is coming few months after the Nigerian army in April invaded Konshisha local government area of Benue State bombing Bonta, Adoka, Gungul, Agidi and many other towns/villages in Shangev Tiev axis. Tens of unarmed civilians were reportedly killed with properties worth millions of nairas destroyed.
The latest military onslaught against Benue people was said to be as a result of the lingering land dispute between the Nigerian Airforce and its host community, Ugondo people of Makurdi local government area of Benue state.
A source who spoke to KemiFilaniNews on anonymous condition said the homes of the armless civilians were levelled down without any form of compensation.
The source said, “There has been a lingering land dispute between the Ugondo people of Makurdi local government area of Benue State and the Nigerian Air Force for some time now. Yesterday, the whole land dispute took another dimension as over 100 houses belonging to Ugondu people were demolished without compensation.”
The source said the Benue state government was yet to react 24 hours after the unlawful demolition of the houses of hundreds of its citizens.
“Although no official statement from the Benue state government either to condemn this act by the air force, commend them or to console the affected victims, we are still hoping that something will be done to help this people out,” he said.
He called on Governor Samuel Ortom to do something urgently about the situation.
“I, therefore, call on the Executive Governor Ortom to put himself in this people’s shoes and ensure something positive is done to take them out of this predicament.”
A visit to the community by our correspondent showed that houses were truly demolished however, it is not clear whether it was unlawfully perpetrated or not.
Efforts by our reporter to speak with a spokesperson of the Air Force proved abortive as none was accessible.