The traditional ruler of Tyoshin land in Benue State, Daniel Abomtse, has confirmed 577 deaths in 141 violent attacks in his domain within the last 13 years.

He spoke on the occasion of the formal flag-off of the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at their ancestral lands yesterday in Naka, Gwer West Local Council.

The monarch noted that for over 13 years, the IDPs were unable to set foot in their ancestral homes since the first documented attack on February 8, 2011.

The state government had begun a tentative resettlement of IDPs, with the first batch in Gwer West council area.

To complement the effort, the Tyoshin Development Association, led by its President, Chief Tarnongu Tiza, mobilised the community to clear long-abandoned access roads.

The Annue-Agbu City, Kula-Anguhar and Tse Lagu feeder roads, as well as the Camp Nagi-Agberagba Road, were cleared to ease movement and return of the IDPs in Mbakyondu and Sengev wards.

Others that equally got attention were Anguhar Road in Tyough Atee /Injaha Council Ward and that of Tse-Aji, Agberagba, and Tse Chagu in Gbaange/Tongov and Mbachono council wards.

Tiza explained that the decision to undertake the road rehabilitation was fueled by the desire to encourage the IDPs to return to their ancestral homes and rebuild their lives.

?This critical project will pave the way for the safe resettlement of IDPs, restoring hope, confidence, and livelihoods for the affected communities,? the community leader said.

Some of the returnee IDPs, Agongu Eric and Ude Ukough, who spoke with The Guardian, thanked the governor and state government for making the occasion a reality.

Another returnee, Mrs. Franca Chia, called on the government and well-meaning individuals to assist in rebuilding critical infrastructure like homes, schools, and hospitals, to enable them to fully resettle and rebuild their lives.

Technical Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Media and Strategic Communications, Solomon Iorpev, who led the government delegation, said his principal?s homegrown security approach was yielding results. (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)