The All Progressives Congress in Benue State has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the incessant killings in the state.
The party stated that the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, can no longer address the worsening insecurity.
The state publicity secretary of the party, under the leadership of the Austin Agada faction, Daniel Ihomun, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.
This was in reaction to the recent killing of a police officer and 41 people in four communities in the Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.
The APC described the latest massacre as another tragic addition to the growing list of unprovoked attacks on the defenceless people of the state.
Ihomun said, “It is now crystal clear that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has no strategy or capacity to address the persistent security crisis ravaging Benue communities.
“The government’s inability to stem the tide of bloodshed has left our people vulnerable, and the silence from the corridors of power is both deafening and damning.”
The party also criticised what it described as the “conspicuous silence” of the Benue State House of Assembly and condemned the lawmakers’ sudden recess.
“As representatives of the people, their inaction and failure to speak out against these atrocities is utterly unacceptable.
“The leadership of the Assembly has sadly turned its back on those they were elected to serve. At a time when our state is engulfed in what amounts to a genocide, there is absolutely no justification for legislative recess or passivity.
As defenders of our people, the APC Benue State Chapter calls on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to urgently intervene by deploying more security personnel to the state to protect lives and restore peace.
“The state government has clearly run out of ideas and lacks the political will to confront this menace,” the party’s publicity secretary said.
The party, however, reiterated its call for a stakeholders’ security meeting to address the rising insecurity in the state.
It suggested that such a meeting should include critical stakeholders across party lines—National Assembly members, government appointees, youth representatives, clergy, traditional rulers, and security agencies.
Our people deserve to live without fear. We will not keep silent in the face of continuous attacks and governmental indifference,” the factional party added.
Meanwhile, Alia, in a statement condemning the killings, reaffirmed his commitment to the safety and security of the people of Benue State.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Kula Tersoo, the governor expressed support for traditional institutions in the state that have mandated Fulani herdsmen to vacate the state.
The statement reads, “He (Alia) stands resolute with the traditional institution, which has recently mandated the immediate evacuation of criminal herders and their accomplice terrorists from Benue lands.”
Governor Alia also urged security agencies to intensify their efforts to safeguard Benue communities, stating, “It is imperative that these criminal elements and their accomplices are apprehended and dealt with swiftly and justly in accordance with the laws of our land.”
