Lagos — Former Chief of Army staff, Retired Lt.-Gen Victor Malu is to appear today before the judicial commission of inquiry on inter-communal clashes in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and Plateau states.

Malu takes over the witness box following the conclusion of evidence by Mr Shima Ayata, Special Assistant to Benue state governor, who had been testifying since Monday.

Malu, who was a one time commander of ECOMOG, lost a lot of property, including a country home which was burnt down during the 2001 Tiv/Jukun crisis in Benue.

Meanwhile, Ayata told the commission that contrary to insinuations that the state did not show concern, the Benue government spent N6 million on the feeding of Tiv victims after the clashes.

Ayata, who was in the witness box for three consecutive days said that the money was for the purchase of food items for the victims

He said that the state government also ensured that the food was distributed to victims at their various camps.

Ayata, who was also the chairman of the relief management and rehabilitation committee, told the commission that Plateau and Taraba governors were also at the camp where they expressed concern on the unfortunate incident.

According to him, the two governors urged the Tivs to return to their bases as they are bonafide indigenes of the state in which they are residing.