The Jechira Intermediate Area Traditional Council has called for the immediate prosecution of four persons suspected of involvement in the repeated burning of St. Winifred Girls’ Secondary School, Ihugh, in Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
TNT understands that the suspects were named following an emergency stakeholders’ meeting that condemned the repeated burning of St. Winifred Girls’ Secondary School, Ihugh, and appealed to the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese to reopen the withdrawn institutions. The meeting was held on Tuesday, October 20, at Uganden Village, Vandeikya.
The council identified the suspects as Orshi Gbanger, John Chia, Tordue Gaadi Chia and Iorpuu Iorliam, directing the Vandeikya Local Government Council chairman to facilitate their prosecution before a competent court, in accordance with due process.
In a communiqué issued on Thursday, October 22, the traditional council, under the leadership of the Tor Jechira II, HRM Engr. Edward I. Ujege, condemned the repeated burning of the school on four consecutive occasions, describing the incidents as barbaric, inhuman and uncivilised.
The council expressed regret over the attacks and tendered an apology to the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William Amove Avenya, acknowledging his contributions to education and healthcare in Jechira land.
It also commended the bishop’s decision to close the affected Catholic institutions as a measure to protect students, staff, priests and other members of the school community from further attacks.
The stakeholders resolved to strengthen security at St. Winifred Girls’ Secondary School through increased deployment of security personnel for 24-hour surveillance. They also proposed the construction of a perimeter fence at the rear of the school to prevent further attacks.
To facilitate the rehabilitation of the damaged institution, the council announced plans to establish a fundraising committee to mobilise contributions from indigenes of Jechira, their spouses, friends and other well-wishers.
Beyond the school attacks, the council resolved to discourage host communities from placing undue demands on Catholic institutions for scholarships, free medical services, burial assistance and other forms of support.
It also pledged to strengthen traditional measures against land-related exploitation, particularly the practice of demanding additional payments after land transactions have been concluded.
The council further disclosed plans to send a high-powered delegation to the bishop to formally present the community’s resolutions and appeal for forgiveness.
It urged the bishop to reconsider the withdrawal of the affected Catholic institutions and temporarily reopen the Catholic church and hospital in Ihugh to enable residents to resume worship and access essential healthcare services.
The communiqué was signed by Tor Jechira HRM Ujege; the Ter Kunav, HRH Chief Nyiyongo Achiaku; and the Acting Ter Ikyor, HRH Chief Emmanuel Akpoughol.
