By Dozzy Samuel
Apparently disturbed by the killings going on in different communities in Benue state, the three major socio- cultural organizations representing the people of the state have accused the federal government of inaction towards stopping the blood-letting allegedly being perpetuated by armed Fulani herdsmen.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja at a world press conference, the leadership of Mdzough U Tiv, Idoma National Forum and Omi Ny’ Igede asked the international community to join them in condenming the incesant killings of the Benue people including what they termed the cruel killing of 24 Benue people in Okpokwu LGA allegedly by armed Fulani herdsmen on March 5, 2018.
They claimed that this killing coming on the heels of the recent mass burial of 73 Benue people by Fulani herdsmen have brought tears and agony to their people.
“We regret to say that the Federal Government that is responsible for safety and security of Nigerians, by the body language of Government officials and their utterances, have not convinced us of their willingness to protect and defend the people of Benue state in line with their official constitutional role”, the group alleged.
According to them, the utterances alleged to have been made by President Buhari himself and other top government officers like the Inspector General of Police as well as the inability of the government security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the heinous acts have confirmed their worst fears of the grand design to commit genocide against the Benue people.
The group therefore made a 7-point demand including a call on well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to pressurize the Federal Government and her law enforcement agencies to respect the law to prohibit open rearing and grazing of 2017, to ensure that the Okpokwu LGA killings of 24 Benue citizens and destruction of property is the last.
They also called on other brother socio-cultural organizations in Nigeria like Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ijaw National Congress, Southern Kaduna People’s Union and others to rise in solidarity to defend the people of Benue state and the sovereignty of Nigeria as a whole.
The seven demands dubbed “Our Call” are:
1. We want to call on well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to pressurize the Federal government and her law enforcement agencies to respect the law to prohibit open rearing and grazing of livestock and provide for the establishment of ranches and livestock administration, control and other matters therewithin, 2017. This is global best practice.
2. We call on the Federal government to ensure that the Okpokwu Local Government killing of 24 Benue citizens and destruction of property is the last.
3. We call on the international community to pressurize the Federal government to stop treatment of Benue people as second class citizens. In this regard the utterances of the Federal Government officials have not promoted the atmosphere of peace and unity.
4. We call on the Federal government to ensure the arrest, interrogation and prosecution of perpetrators of genocide against Benue people.
5. We call on the Federal government to facilitate the return of over 160,000 IDPs to their ancestral homes to get back to their economic activities which are mainly farming, as well as the recommencement of school activities for the children.
6. We call on the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for dialogue between aggrieved parties.
7. We call on our brother socio-cultural organization in Nigeria like Afenifere, OhanezeNdi Igbo, Ijaw National Congress, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union and others to rise in solidarity to defend the people of Benue state and the sovereignty of Nigeria as a whole.
