By Atoyebi Nike
The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the escalating security crisis in the state, citing the state government’s inability to curb ongoing attacks and killings.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Daniel Ihomun, spokesperson for the Austin Agada-led faction of the party, described the recent killing of a police officer and 41 residents in Gwer West Local Government Area as “another tragic addition” to a growing list of deadly attacks on civilians.
“It is now crystal clear that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has no strategy or capacity to address the persistent security crisis ravaging Benue communities,” Ihomun said.
He criticized the state government’s silence, calling it “deafening and damning,” and further slammed the Benue State House of Assembly for going on recess amid the crisis.
“As representatives of the people, their inaction and failure to speak out against these atrocities is utterly unacceptable. There is absolutely no justification for legislative passivity at a time when our state is engulfed in what amounts to a genocide.”
The party urged President Tinubu to deploy more security forces to Benue to protect lives and stabilize the region. It also renewed calls for a broad-based stakeholders’ security meeting, involving politicians across party lines, traditional rulers, youth groups, and security agencies.
“Our people deserve to live without fear. We will not keep silent in the face of continuous attacks and governmental indifference,” the statement read.
In response, Governor Alia, through his media aide Kula Tersoo, condemned the killings and reaffirmed his commitment to the safety of all Benue citizens.
The governor expressed support for traditional leaders who recently ordered Fulani herdsmen to vacate the state, blaming them for the violence.
“He stands resolute with the traditional institution, which has recently mandated the immediate evacuation of criminal herders and their accomplice terrorists from Benue lands,” Tersoo said.
Governor Alia also called on security agencies to intensify their operations to apprehend and prosecute those responsible.
“It is imperative that these criminal elements and their accomplices are dealt with swiftly and justly in accordance with the laws of our land.”
