Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, has stated that his administration would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any traditional ruler , whose community engages in clash.

The governor gave the warning at the palace of the Ochidoma, HRH Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, at the weekend, when he paid the ruler a condolence visit over a communal clash, which claimed about 10 lives, penultimate week.

Suswam explained that the state could not live with any crisis at a time the nation is facing security challenges, stressing that his administration would not spare any chief or traditional ruler, whose domain engages in clannish squabble.

According to him, “it was unfortunate that we experienced clannish skirmish in this part of the state, which hitherto was known for peace.

But with the challenges facing the country at the moment, we cannot afford any form of crisis in the state, because we have been experiencing relative peace and I want it to continue that way. So, if any community engages in any form of crisis, we will not spare the chief or ruler in such a community, as we will arrest such and prosecute him.”

The governor, who pledged to ensure that lasting solution is provided to the warring communities, said that efforts were already on to delineate the boundary, in order to forestall future occurence.

The ruler of Idomaland, HRH Ikoyi Opekpa, regretted wanton destruction of property and lives recorded during the communal clash between Otukpo and Obi local government areas two weeks ago, stating that, such was alien to the land.

He, however, commended the government for its efforts at nipping the crisis in the bud, and called on government to promptly demarcate the boundary, so as to ensure peace in these places.

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