By: Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has condemned in strong terms the renewed killings by herders resulting to the death of fifteen innocent persons while several others sustained multiple injuries in affected communities of mbaikyor / Mbalom councils wards of Gwer- East local government area of Benue State.
Represented by his Deputy Governor Dr Sam Ode at the mass burial on Tuesday in Mbalom/ Mbaikyor ward where the deceased received State honours regretted the callousness and barbaric manner of killings of innocent people, however maintained that these incident occurred at time Government is making conscious in resolving constant uprising of herders in the State.
He however pledged that this will be the last time to ever withnessed this kind of havoc where human lives would be exterminated for no apparent reason.
According to him, we’re mounting strategic planned crisis prone areas to ensure fracas are discouraged in such inhabitants emphasising something must be done to mitigate the situation.
He expressed worry over the high number of the dead bodies describing the situation as quite unfortunate saying this is uncalled for.
The Governor explained that security is not an individual business but a collective efforts calling on the residents of the community to always remain vigilant with the view to collaborate efforts with law enforcement agents in providing adequate protection for themselves.
He urged the community through their traditional rulers to profiled a security outfit and present to the State government for inauguration with the sole responsibility of protecting their community against further attacks.
He assured that all the request presented by their various leaders will reach the governor accordingly.
Earlier, the chairman, Association of Mbakyor sons and daughters Mr. Simon Kofi appealed for the creation of Mbakyor council ward, construction of access road to the community and deployment of qualified healthcare personnel to the existing primary health care in their community for proper healthcare service delivery.
On his part,, President General,.Masev Development Association Professor Vitalis Tarhule, called on the government to give the community the desired protection which according to him was the main aim they voted them into various offices.
” This is the 3rd time the armed herdsmen are attacking our community killing more than 40 people, the first attack was in 2014, the second 2018 with the third in 2024, we are therefore, appealing to the government of the day to establish a security outfit in the community to stop this attacks”.Prof. Tarhule explained.bb
Hon. Elias Audu, representing Gwer East in the State Assembly lamented why the emergency aircraft displayed by the Nigeria Air force recently inaugurated by the Vice president for prompt intervention in such cases were not used and task the state government to carry out an investigation on the matter.
It could be recalled that the Fulani herders visited hostilities in the affected last March 2024 , resulting to the the death of the victims where the deceases granted mass burial today.
