The leaders of the three major tribes in Benue state, under the auspices of Mzough U Tiv, Ochetoha K’Idoma, and Omi Ny’ Igede, have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to establish military posts in the Gbeji and Chembe communities in the Ukum, Logo, and Agatu Local Government Areas, LGAs of the state, respectively.
The leaders stated that the step would help prevent herdsmen attacks in the aforementioned communities and surrounding villages, as well as facilitate the return of more than two million IDPs to their ancestral homes.
Addressing the media on Thursday in Makurdi, the leaders, through their Chairman and President General of MUT worldwide, Chief Iorbee Ihagh, denounced the persistent attacks on Benue communities, specifically the recent invasion of Gbeji, which resulted in the deaths of 39 people and the hospitalization of a great number of others.
According to the leaders, “the attack on Gbeji is one of many mindless and unjustified deaths of innocent peasant farmers across Benue state by marauding herdsmen, who have displaced more than two million people across the state.”
“They must be held accountable for their actions; hence, we concur with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vow to examine the issue.
“On the other hand, we condemn the feeble attempt by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to offer condolences to families who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
“The former Vice President had discussed ‘integrating’ the herders into Benue villages, although the Fulani have demonstrated through their actions and words that they do not wish to coexist peacefully with farmers in Benue areas.
“We also join the people of Gbeji in rejecting Atiku’s condolences, which we also consider as a farce, since how can the PDP presidential candidate expect farmers in Benue State to have fraternal connections with their murderers?
In addition, during a recent event in Kaduna, the presidential contender expressed his displeasure with Governor Samuel Ortom for labeling Fulanis as terrorists and robbers.
“We demand that he apologize to Governor Ortom for the unjustifiable verbal assaults he launched on Governor Ortom during the meeting in Kaduna.
We make this demand emphatically since several Fulani livestock gangs have repeatedly admitted to killings in the state.”
