Nigeria’s Benue Attack: Aspiring Lawmaker Olofu, seeks Govt intervention
Nigeria
With the international call currently raging to end killings in Nigeria, a Senatorial hopeful of Benue South come 2027, Dr. David Olofu, has called on the Federal Government to demonstrate heightened urgency and unwavering commitment in addressing the wanton killings.
He said there has been a pernicious scourge of herdsmen attacks that has ravaged various parts of the Benue South Senatorial District.
Recall that on Monday four farmers were killed and several others missing following renewed attacks by suspected armed herders in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
The assailants reportedly invaded the area and attacked residents working on their farmlands.
Reacting in a press statement, Olofu expressed his profound perturbation and deep-seated concern over the persistent and unprovoked attacks in the LGA that also comprises Anwule-Oglewu community and Rijo in Ado Local Government Area.
He however urged the Federal Government to exhibit a heightened sense of seriousness and purpose in tackling this menace, which has assumed alarming proportions.
He also called upon the Benue State government to demonstrate greater concern and commitment in addressing the scourge, which has left a trail of devastation and despair in its wake.
He lamented the unbridled attacks by suspected murderous herdsmen, which have rendered vulnerable communities in Benue South Senatorial District perpetual targets.
He described the situation as “unacceptable and must be stopped by the Federal Government”, emphasizing that those responsible for internal security must rise to the challenge and stem the tide of violence, which has assumed the proportion of a hydra-headed monster.
Olofu advocated for community policing by the youth in various communities, stressing that in view of the inability of security agencies to effectively safeguard communities, the youth and able-bodied men should form vigilante groups to protect their communities.
He emphasized that security is every man’s business and should no longer be relinquished to government alone, stressing that “as it is, we are left with the difficult option of taking our destinies into our hands”.
He decried the lackadaisical attitude of government and some government functionaries in the consistent attacks of communities in Benue State which he described as a carefully orchestrated carnage aimed at obliterating “our people.”
He regretted that the governments have not done enough to inspire the confidence of the people – a quagmire that has created a state of quandary.
He commiserated with the people of Anwule-Oglewu and Rijo over the unfortunate attacks and called on the Federal Government to not only halt the carnage but also arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
Olofu appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to all the victims in the affected communities to ameliorate their plight.
His appeal is a clarion call to action, and it remains to be seen how the Federal Government will respond to this urgent appeal, a Media Consultant to the Senatorial hopeful, Dr. Friday Elijah said in a statement.
