Benue: Thugs Allegedly Stop Kwande Mass Burial

Mourners in Mbaav communities in Yaav and Mbadura council wards of Turan in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state were thrown into confusion as political thugs reportedly stopped mass burial for the victims of terrorists attack in the area.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the mortuary attendant who was to release corpses of the victims for the burial on Thursday was reportedly taken to unknown location by the thugs to prevent families from removing the bodies of their loved ones.

Recall that terrorists recently stormed communities in Yaav and Mbadura council wards, Kwande local government and killed 12 residents, while others sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Technical Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev, while condemning the attack had confirmed that 12 innocent people were killed and several others injured.

However, reacting to the aborted mass burial in Kwande community, All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue State chapter loyal to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, condemned the act.

In a statement issued by the Benue State APC Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, backed by Akume, said “The All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue State Chapter, strongly condemns the disgraceful and sponsored disruption of a mass burial for 11 innocent community members of Turan in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area, who were recently murdered by armed Fulani bandits.

“We have received disturbing reports that sponsored thugs abducted a mortuary attendant, Mr. MT Tiga, and sealed his mortuary facility in a desperate attempt to prevent the people of Turan from carrying out a mass burial for the victims who were killed in Mbachoon, Yaav District of Turan in Kwande Local Government Area”

The statement added, “This barbaric act is not only inhumane but also an assault on the fundamental right of a community to mourn and bury their dead with dignity. The people of Turan have every right to determine the manner in which they lay their loved ones to rest and to draw the attention of the world to the ongoing suffering and systematic killings being perpetrated against them by armed Fulani bandits”

“It is deeply troubling that in the face of relentless attacks and loss of lives, the people are now being denied even the basic humanity of burying their dead. One must ask: can the people not even be allowed to bury their dead in peace?” the statement stated.

When contacted over the incident, Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, said she would check and get back but did not at the time of filling this report.