Members of southern and middle belt leader’s forum have warned the presidency against declaring state of emergency in Benue State, following incessant attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The Forum in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for killings in the state and other parts of the country.
The statement read in part;
“President Muhammadu Buhari has not lived up to the expectations of his office by keeping mute on the killings, visiting neighbouring Nasarawa and Adamawa states, while ignoring Benue. Soldiers drafted to Benue state under Operation Cat Dance, were allegedly circulating leaflets, calling Tiv cattle rustlers, which clearly suggests that the operation is ostensibly meant to turn victims into villains and decimate their capacity for self-defence.
We call on President Buhari to stop the killings in Benue and other parts of the country by disarming herdsmen and fishing out culprits for prosecution. Any plot to declare a state of emergency in Benue State, as being canvassed by some sponsored group, as such a move in the Western Region had dire consequences in the past.”
Leaders who attended the meeting include Chief Ayo Adebanjo, head of southwest delegation; Chief Clark, who led the south-south delegation; Chief John Nwodo, southeast, and Bala Takaya.
