The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, says it has observed with dismay that the continued activities by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Benue state are a scheme aimed at decimating the communities and gradual entrenchment of anarchy in the state.
The forum said there was no justification for the present raging violence ripping across various parts of the state after lawmakers in the State House of Assembly had passed a law banning open grazing.
Recall that four persons were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Waya in Jato-Aka while the attack on Mbanyiar led to the raping of three women from communities in Kwande and Guma local government areas, including a district head’s wife.
The forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Isuwa Dogo in a statement explained that “As a socio-cultural organisation representing the interests of ethnic Nationalities living in the Middle Belt Region, we view the current onslaught against these Benue communities as a scheme aimed at decimating our communities and gradual entrenchment of anarchy on the state. There is no justification for the present raging violence ripping across various parts of the state after lawmakers in Benue State House of Assembly had passed a law banning open grazing.”
The forum expressed shock and bewilderment at the recent attacks unleashed by suspected armed herdsmen on Waya in Jato-Aka and Mbanyiar communities in Kwande and Guma local government areas of Benue state, saying that there is a deliberate ploy to disturb the peace of Benue citizens and throw the state into yet another round of bloodshed.
“That these suspected herdsmen have continued to terrorize the state despite the alarm raised by the state governor, indicates that there may be a force that is irrevocably committed to undermining the rule of law in order to provoke another bout of violence,” the forum suspected.
“The Forum considers it appalling and pathetic that there are only 35 police personnel in Kwande local government area and this inadequate number of policemen and women may prove incapable of combating these bandits of destruction that are armed to the teeth.
“Considering the insufficiency of manpower to deal with trouble makers, we call on the Federal Government, especially the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to deploy more personnel to rein in the activities of these attackers.
“More than anything, we advise the state government and various security agencies to commence the engagement of our communities to work against future attacks in order to form the basis for a new strategy aimed at encouraging the formation of a Joint Task Force (JTF), comprising security personnel and locals.
In this wise, security organisations engaged in keeping the peace in Benue state should spare no efforts in taking the battle to the bandits before they unleash collateral damage on our people.”
The forum expressed delight at efforts put in place by Governor Ortom to return Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, to their villages, stressing that in a situation where violence and other forms of attacks become rampant on a daily basis, it may be too difficult to ensure peaceful coexistence.
“We commend the governor for looking at various legal options aimed at complementing security efforts on halting further attacks on the people,” the statement added.
The forum called on President Muhammadu Buhari to discharge his responsibility of ensuring the safety of lives and property of Nigerians, adding, “The forum urges Benue citizens to remain vigilant and be prepared to defend themselves against aggression by these attackers.”
The forum commiserates with Governor Ortom and the Benue people over the loss of lives and destruction of property caused by these attacks.
“We call on the Federal Government to quickly halt further influx of herdsmen in Benue state, including deploying additional security personnel to fight these bandits who are committed to the destruction of our people,” the forum appealed.
