Help our people to return home –  Benue stakeholders appeal to security agencies

Benue stakeholders under the auspesis of socio-cultural organisations and Local Government Chairmen have appealed to security agencies to sustain operations in areas affected by herdsmen attacks, to enable Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs return to their homes.

The stakeholders made the appeal today in Makurdi during a press conference which text was read by the Chairman, Ukum Local Government Area, Hon Stevie Ayua.

The stakeholders lamented that the continued stay of thousands of farmers in IDP camps is causing hunger and poverty in the land while the future of children in the camps remains bleak.

They called for deployment of special forces to entry points into Benue including Awe, Keana and Doma LGA in Nasarawa State, Mbakyol and Tyulugh from Jonwata on the Cameroon border as well as Moon, Yaav, Kashinbila and Takun in Taraba State.

According to the press statement, the recent claim by herdsmen that 1,500 of their cows were killed in Benue was not true as there is no evidence in any part of the state to suggest that such a number of cows were killed.

The stakeholders stated that militia herdsmen armed with AK 47 now attack IDP camps where people seek refuge, kill and displace again as witnessed at Abagena camp where seven IDPs were killed earlier this year.

They also refuted claims that Benue people rustle cattle as reason for attacks by the herdsmen, saying findings revealed that Fulani herders who know the language of their cattle and the cattle listen to them, steal each other’s cows for sale and turn round to blame Benue people, particularly members of Livestock Guards for the theft.

“Another false narrative being peddled by Fulani herders is that the Livestock Guards often go beyond the Benue State boundary to impound their cows and also effect the arrest of their members. Nothing can be further from the truth. The false claim by the herders is a ploy to justify their attacks on members of the Livestock Guards. In the last one year, Fulani herdsmen have increased their violent assault on members of the Livestock Guards in a bid to discourage them from carrying out their legitimate duty”, they stated.

The stakeholders described as inhuman, the November 13th, 2021 attack on mourners in Mbayatyo, Mbater Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area during a wake where many were killed.

While appealing for quick security action against the militia herdsmen, the stakeholders said for over seven years now, attacks by herdsmen have led to the killing of hundreds and destruction of property worth billions in Benue, stressing that 21 out of 23 LGAs have been affected.

They however commended Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies for their untiring efforts in providing relative peace in Benue, even as the stakeholders acknowledged Governor Ortom’s support to security agencies to enable them carry out their responsibilities.