The Turan Development Association (TUDA) has called for the immediate withdrawal of soldiers from the Jato-Aka Community, in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, following the alleged killing of five people, including two students, during a clash over traditional gun salutes at a burial ceremony.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the President General, Chief Festus Iorkyaa, and Secretary, Emmanuel Ijever, TUDA described the incident as a “brutal and senseless attack on unarmed citizens” that occurred after the burial of a revered traditional leader, Chief Hanave Laha.

Our correspondent reports that the incident occurred on Tuesday, last week, with the police confirming one student dead and two injured.

However, the association explained that the confrontation began when soldiers reportedly challenged members of the Moon Community Vigilante over the firing of traditional gun salutes, which had been a long-standing Tiv custom to honour a deceased chief.

The disagreement among other accusations against the troop, TUDA said, led to the alleged killing of two vigilante members, Iorsuur Abuul and Akula Shija, allegedly on the orders of a Captain heading the soldiers.

The group further claimed that protests broke out later in the afternoon as students closed from school, during which soldiers allegedly opened fire, killing two students, Tersoo Msughter and Suur Atee of Turan Community Secondary School, Jato-Aka, and a 14-year-old pupil, Hiinengen Asongo of ATM Divine Nursery and Primary School, while four others were said to have sustained gunshot injuries.

The association therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia to take urgent steps to prevent further violence in the area as they also demanded the withdrawal of the Nigerian Army from Turanland and their replacement with the Mobile Police Force, alongside an independent investigation into the killings by the National Human Rights Commission or a Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

The group further urged the reconstruction of the Turan Traditional Council Hall and the residence of the Mue-Ter, which were reportedly destroyed during the unrest.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army in Benue had yet to respond to the allegations.

But, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that one secondary student died while two others sustained injuries during a military operation against armed bandits.

“It is not the killing of students,” Edet clarified.

She added, “The military team was returning from patrol when they sighted hoodlums with firearms on a motorcycle. While chasing them, the hoodlums opened fire at the military, and in the process, stray bullets hit three students. Sadly, one was confirmed dead at the hospital, while the others are responding to treatment. Investigation is ongoing.” (Daily Trust)