By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Group under the auspices of Supreme Council of Mbayion Traditional Rulers and Community Leaders have strongly condemned the attack and burning of a house located at Adi Agor Village, allegedly owned by a relation of the first civilian governor of Benue State Mrs Tyungu Aku .
The stakeholders in a communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting held at the residence of Mue Ter Gboko HRH Joseph Ikpa-Ahua, to review security breaches at Adi Agor village and other issues in the area and to set the records straight said the burnt property was not that of the former governor but his relation however, described the action as callous and alien to the culture and tradition of the people of Mbayion.
The group equally condemned reported hostile actions against security agencies who were drafted to keep peace in the area, to prevent the situation from escalating, restating the sustained faith and belief of Mbayion people in the principles of peace, non-violent ways of resolving conflicts and accomodation of all law abiding citizens within their locality.
The stakeholders in the communique recalled that in their usual peaceful and honest nature, the Mbayion people unreservedly returned to the late Akua Aku, a large parcel of land of 8 100×100 plots in the heart of Gboko town, who they referred to as a respected former Governor, the late Aper Aku, bought in his lifetime from a Mbayion vendor.
The stakeholders equally alleged that during a meeting, the vendor before leaders of the Mbayion Clan voluntarily and willingly handed over the said parcel of land to the late Akua Aku in the presence of his kinsmen and those from the Aku family including Elder Atsaga Anemba and other Elders of his immediate Community of Mbakuha.