The opposition party in the state gave the advice in a statement issued by its publicity secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, while commiserating with the government and people of Ukum Local Government Area over the killings in the council.
Some youths had protested the killing of people in Ayati village by local bandits resulting in the destruction of personal and government properties by the protesters.
Following the violent protest, the state governor declared 24-hour curfew in the local government.
While consoling those who lost loved ones and sympathised with those whose properties were destroyed in the attack, the PDP in the state condemned the actions of people taking laws into their hands.
The statement read in part, “PDP further regrets to know that the events in Zaki Biam in the last couple of days spotlight the degree of insecurity in the state in a manner as should necessitate a change of approach from Governor Hyacinth Alia in his handling of security in the state.
“Reports from the area indicate that for the better part of yesterday, angry mobs went on the rampage through Zaki Biam unchallenged ransacking and burning down properties, both public and private.
“The incident is reported to have started as a protest by locals in the town against the latest killings, but with events eventually getting out of hand as mobs of angry youths hijacked the protest and set about ransacking and burning down properties including the Local Government Council Secretariat, the Chairman’s Lodge, a public commodities warehouse, private businesses and residences including those of the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon Paul Biam.
“It is a major source of worry that local accounts have publicly lamented the lack of a security response rapid enough to have quelled the situation and brought it under control, thereby mitigating the extent of destruction visited on properties in Zaki Biam.”
While calling on the governor to listen to the voice of the masses, the party further urged him to quickly put on his priority list a rapid response ingredient to the handling of insecurity in the state.
The party suggested that the governor should improve the logistics and communication capabilities of security agencies in the state, to initiate a disarmament and resettlement initiative for bandits in the Sankera area, through the use of a carrot-and-stick approach towards arresting the situation.
It also urged the governor to act with sincerity of purpose to mobilise Benue people, irrespective of political, religious and sundry differences, towards tackling insecurity.
