Gov Alia urged to act on Benue killings

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has been advised to take proactive steps in addressing the killings in the state and quit blaming others for the frequent loss of lives in his domain.

Making the call on Monday, the National League For the Defense of Democracy and Accountability, said rather than passing the buck, the governor should have the political will to deal with the incessant attacks witnessed in Sankara, Gwer West and other parts of Benue.

The National President of the civil society group, Prof. John Katung, while making the call, expressed disappointment over comments credited to the governor for consistently shifting the blame on “Abuja-based politicians”, instead of collaborating with the Federal Government to flush out and prosecute the miscreants instigating the mayhem.

It called on the governor to stop playing politics with the lives of the people of the state, advising him to honour all understandings his administration reached with various groups in the state.

The group observed that the Benue killings, which had contributed to the food insecurity across Nigeria, could be tackled with a high sense of commitment and not by merely playing on words.

It urged the state government to approach the federal government for assistance to curb the insecurity in Benue, especially the daily attacks on Katsina-Ala and Ukum and some parts of Apa/Agatu local government areas, rather than making allegations that could not be substantiated, while the killings continued.

While commending the efforts by the Senator representing Benue North-East in the Senate, Sen.  Emmanuel Udende, for drawing the attention of the world to the killings carnage through motions and sponsorship of bills to tackle insecurity, the organisation challenged the state government to either publish the names of the sponsors of the attacks or keep mute.

It also urged the state governor to work closely with members of the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders in seeking an end to the killings, noting that leadership involved critical thinking and not making accusations that had no basis.

The group further stated, “We have being following the unfolding killings in Benue state, particularly the comments from the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and we feel the governor ought to be more circumspect and measured in his utterances.

“It is our considered opinion that the solution to this new wave of killings in Benue state has contributed to the food crisis in Nigeria. The needless and senseless killing of innocent people is simply unacceptable and we call on the governor to step up actions, collaborate with the federal government, and stakeholders, including members of the National and state Assembly, traditional institutions, and the youths and find a lasting solution rather than throwing shades and going on making accusations while the lives of the people are being wasted on a daily basis.

“We condemn the loss of lives in any part of Nigeria and we are alarmed that politicians at the level of a governor will choose to play politics with the lives of his people. What is the solution in telling the people that sponsors of what befalls them are Abuja politicians? Why can’t you name them and prosecute them according to the laws of the land? Why create undue tension?

“We must commend the senator representing one of the troubled zones, Senator Emmanuel Udende, for his efforts so far, but what about other lawmakers from the zones affected? Why are they not speaking up?

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE