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Panel on Kwande crisis submits report, decries destruction
From Simon Nwakudu, Makurdi
"THE degree of destruction that was Kwande experience, to say the least, is unimaginable. It was not only ungodly, it was unexpected of in any civilised society."
These were the words of the chairman of the commission of inquiry into the political disturbances in Kwande and Ukum, Benue State, Justice Kazeem Alogbo.
Justice Alogbo, who spoke last Friday in Makurdi during the presentation of the commission's report on the crisis, also told journalists later that the panel could not visit the Unongo village because of the "intense situation" there, and so could not "hear from the down-trodden who were affected by the crisis."
He said: "What we saw at Kwande were most unimaginable and condemnable in a civilised community. It was like those involved in the crisis chose the best to destroy in that area. That must not be allowed to happen again."
He said the recommendations of the commission were borne out of "painstaking efforts" aimed at promoting peace rather than escalating the volatile situation in the area.
Justice Alogbo added: "Where we were satisfied that proven damage had been done, we made recommendations bearing in mind the volatile nature of this exercise. We bent backwards to ensure that our recommendations brought peace to the area."
He appealed to those from the troubled areas to forgive one another to pave way for lasting peace to return.
Receiving the report, Governor George Akume praised them for "doing a through job."
He said the state government would study the report to ensure that its recommendations were implemented in the interest of peace and appealed to the Kwande people to be patient while government studied the report.
Justice Alogbo noted: "We could not visit Unongo village because of the intense situation at that area. We had security report not to visit that village. Moreover, nobody had complained to us that Dr. Paul Unongo father's grave was desecrated."
He said those who chased away members of the commission during their visit to the area meant no harm since they were unhappy with the "calamity" that had befallen them during the crisis.
His words: "To be fair to the people of Kwande, they did not intend any harm on the commission. They appeared uncompromising and almost violent and shouting for change on top of their voices.
"They could have been better behaved, but they lost the opportunity of getting their views heard. The less privileged lost the opportunity, because only the elite made submissions to the commission."
Justice Alogbo said the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) duly exercised their fundamental rights when they refused to appear before the commission, adding, however, that the commission remained legal since it did not preside over murder cases as alleged in certain quarters.
He said the reason behind the destruction and killings that took place in Kwande was the "crave for power."
However, the ANPP has urged the Federal Government to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to impartially investigate the Kwande crisis.
According to the party, such a commission would bring all indicted parties, including officials of the Benue State government to justice.
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