Benue indigenes in large numbers,
on Thursday, stormed Abuja, the nation’s capital in protest of the wanton
killings of their people by Fulani herdsmen and the ‘lukewarm’ attitude of the
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Muhammad
Buhari, in nipping the situation in the board.
Tiv, Idoma, Igede and other
tribes in Benue, both young and old arrived Abuja en-route Makurdi as early as
10am and converged at the unity fountain where they addressed the press.
No fewer than 5000 Benue
indigenes have lost their lives with unquantified property destroyed by Fulani
marauders in the last 6 years.
In February, 2016, the Fulani
herdsmen hit Akwu, Aila and other villages in Agatu local government, killing
230 farmers in a day, the number later rose to 500 within 2 weeks.
Most recently, the people of Guma
and Logo local government areas woke up to the news of the mindless killings of
their people on Monday, 1st January, 2018, where over 80 people were said to
have lost their lives.
However, about 73 bodies were
recovered and given mass burial at the state capital, Makurdi, last week.
While the National Assembly is
currently debating on the state of insecurity and proffering a national summit
on security, the Fulani Militia struck again on Wednesday, killing at least
five persons.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja
Thursday during the rally, former member House of Assembly and former
Commissioner in Benue, Hon. Mrs. Rebecca Apezan, said the President had
abandoned Benue people at the moment of disaster and grief, and had decided to
pitch tent with his Fulani brethren.
Apezan berated Buhari for not
attending the mass burial in Makurdi or sending federal government delegation,
saying, “he values cows more than human lives”.
She regretted that Benue people
voted overwhelmingly for President Buhari in the 2015 presidential election,
saying it was because Benue loved him.
She said, “since Buhari cannot
help us, let Senate President Saraki and Speaker Dogara come to our aide in
Benue.
“Also, we don’t need the Police
in Benue, let them give us Army to protect us”.
While declaring support for the
anti-open grazing law recently promulgated by Governor Samuel Ortom in Benue,
Mrs. Apezan also outrightly rejected the cattle colony being proposed by the
federal government.
The mass protest which is
currently ongoing, shall touch the National Human Rights Commission, National
Assembly, United Nations office and embassies of foreign missions in Nigeria,
where protest letters are expected to be delivered by leaders.
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