Benue communities under siege — Group

A group known as Benue Democratic Ambassadors has raised concerns about the ongoing attacks on Benue communities, alleging that 20 of the state’s 23 local government areas are currently under siege by suspected armed herders.

The group made the allegation at a press conference in Makurdi, calling on the Federal Government to investigate the killings in the state.

According to the group’s national president, Daniel Pila, the recent spike in suspected armed herders’ attacks on communities in the state might be connected to the recent address of the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, at a public function in the United States of America.

Pila noted that the bishop’s address, which highlighted the plight of Christians in Benue and neighboring states, might have triggered the attacks.

The Monday attack on Aondona village is most disturbing; first, Aondona is close to Raav, one of the places the governor is proposing to establish a ranch, and secondly, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi is from there.

Recall that Bishop Anagbe recently addressed the whole world on the spate of killing of Christians in Nigeria, particularly central Nigeria, an address many people were not comfortable with and publicly threatened him.

“We call on the federal government to investigate the killings in Benue, most especially the attack on the Catholic priest, Rev Fr Atongo, and the body of Christ,” Pila said.

The group lamented that the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, was not doing enough to stop the killings.

“Benue is under siege as no place is safe in the state, including Makurdi, the capital city. From Otukpo to Agatu, Gwer-West to Kwande, Makurdi to Ukum, Gwer-East to Katsina-ala, Guma to Logo, nowhere is safe as herdsmen have taken over at least 20 out of the 23 local governments that Benue has. We have nowhere to go to but the man we elected to protect us is now defending our killers. Something is fundamentally wrong and must be corrected.”

The group also assessed the performance of Governor Alia’s second-year anniversary, describing it as “abysmal.”

They appealed to stakeholders to unite, irrespective of their political attachments, and work toward the succession of Governor Alia.

“The killings, the poor administrative decisions, lack of interpersonal relationship with Benue people, and lots more are enough reasons to rescue the state,” Pila said.

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