Opinion: Why the killing in Benue must stop – Franc Utoo

About two days ago, a gang of criminals/suspected armed herdsmen struck and committed acts of murder, mayhem, kidnapping and arson in some villages in Saghev council ward of Guma local government. This comes days after killings and attacks were carried out in Mbadwem and Kaambe council wards of Guma.

As of this moment, we have confirmation that some innocent lives were lost by the terrorists, with others injured and some missing. We are grieving as a local government and state once again; my heart, and that of every of our constituent, goes out to the innocent men and women violated by senseless violence. We wish the injured quick recovery, and will continue to pray for them.

We are a hardworking and peaceful people in a country governed by laws, rules and regulations, and that embraces peaceful co-existence. We believe in these principles and values even in the face of adversity. We are also a state that never forgets those who hurt its children.

These killings have, once again, exposed the flaws in our security architecture. The protection of human lives remain the most sacred duty of the government and the operational priority of the security services was to safeguard civilians, and where this fails it simply means the government has failed its citizens. This killer gang should be pursued relentlessly wherever they will be until they are held to account.

The lives and property of our people matter. This informed my hope, when elected into the House of Representatives to represent the people of Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, to sponsor a Bill For An Act To Establish The Benue Valley Security And Development Plan, which when passed would invest in building a strong security system around the porous Benue Valley, and also earmark funds to compensate our people and rebuild ravaged communities and infrastructure destroyed by these killer mercenaries.

Meanwhile, I urge all our leaders to condemn in no uncertain terms this evil and make sure to emphasize that it belongs outside our human community. Our leaders should speak out strongly, as we join in our goal to ask the security agents to pursue the owners, facilitators and sympathizers of these evil groups knowing that they are an enemy that we will pursue and offer no relief.

Our people’s determination is unswerving but they must be assured of their safety.

God Bless Us All!

#STRONGER TOGETHER.

Franc Utoo, Esq
Makurdi/Guma House of Representatives.
#SDP
#2019