April 09, (THEWILL) – Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 elections, Peter Obi, has charged the Federal Government to take extraordinary measures and address the recent killings in Benue State.
THEWILL reports that at least 46 people including the 33-year-old son of Otukpo Local Government Area Chairman, Bako Eje, were killed on Wednesday, by suspected herdsmen, who invaded Umogidi village of Entekpa-Adoka district in otukpo local government in Benue State.
The killing came barely 24 hours after the same village, an Idoma-speaking community, suffered an attack by suspected herdsmen with three persons killed.
In another attack on an Internally Displaced Persons, (IDP) camps, in Mgbam community, in Guma Local Government Area of the State on Friday night, the police recovered at least 28 bodies including that of a pregnant woman on Saturday. More than 36 people were reported killed in the attack.
Reacting to the killings, Obi, in series of tweets said he was deeply saddened by reports of the visceral violence and gruesome killing in Benue and the kidnapping of dozens of people in Wanzamai village in Zamfara.
“I am deeply saddened by reports of the visceral violence and gruesome killing of the internally displaced people (IDPs) in Benue state and other parts of Benue, and the kidnapping of dozens of people in Wanzamai village in Zamfara.
“Such bloodletting is unconscionable, and stands condemned. Government and all stakeholders must take extraordinary measures to address this menace that is impacting negatively on our existence as a nation.
“My deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those affected. May their souls rest in peace. For those kidnapped, my earnest prayer is for their safety and quick rescue”, he wrote.
On Saturday, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to match his words with action by deploying more troops to halt the killings in the state.
Ortom bemoaned the mindless killings by marauding invaders, stating that in the last five days similar attacks by armed herders in three LGAs of the state including, Otukpo, Apa and Guma have claimed over 134 lives of innocent.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attacks. He directed the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and military commanders to enhance surveillance on every front and to immediately review the security management in the affected areas.
