The Defence Headquarters has said a captain and 10 soldiers killed by criminals in the Bonta, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State on Monday were burnt beyond recognition by bandits allegedly aided by youths from the community. It said the attackers also went away with the slain troops’ weapons and ammunition. The DHQ said that military reinforcement dispatched to Bonta the following morning also came under attack from close to 500 armed youths who had fully occupied Bonta community. Following the killings, the military has intensified air and land surveillance in the troubled area to recover arms seized from military personnel by local militias. The acting Director of Defence Information said Konshisha leaders must present the attackers to security forces and also return all the stolen weapons. In addition, the local leaders of Konshisha must bring the main actors responsible for the mayhem to security forces to face justice. They must also surrender all other weapons in their possessions.

Tracing the root of the crisis in the area, the DHQ disclosed that there had been incessant communal clashes between the people of Konshisha and Oju over boundary demarcation. Benue State Governor, has called on the military to refrain from further attack on Konshisha communities.