Benue monarch arrested for masterminding murder of two over land dispute
Chief Adanu Simon, the traditional ruler of Ugboji community in Edikwu district of Apa, Benue State has been arrested for allegedly masterminding a conflict that led to the death of two people over land dispute in the state.
The monarch was accused of reviving a 20-year-old rife between his community, Ugbobi and Okwiji community who have been at loggerhead over a disputed piece land that is believed to have oil deposits within the area. The dispute is said to have been settled by the state government in time past, until Chief Simon reportedly brought it back to life.
The victims were killed in their community when the militia group from Ugbobi attacked them.
“So last Saturday night, the youth of Ugbobi gathered themselves with their militias and attacked the other village called Okwiji, killing two people and when information got to the police, the DPO swung into action and I directed that security be beefed up in that area. As I talk to you normalcy has returned to the area,” the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ene Okon revealed.
The Police disclosed that the issue is being investigated and no date has been set for prosecuting the monarch as more suspects were still being arrested.
