Benue Killings: Presidency Gives Marching Order To Security Agents

By Ayodele Oni

President Muhammadu Buhari has flayed the “extreme violence” and killings of scores of people in Benue State within a week.

The President, in a statement on Saturday by  his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, condemned the “use of terrorism as a tool in inter-communal conflicts”, directing that the attackers “be found and dealt with swiftly under the law.”

He directed the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and military commanders to enhance surveillance on every front and to immediately review the security management in the affected areas.

The President also conveyed his grief and sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives due to the attacks.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those murdered. The entire nation stands united in the fight against the forces of terror and evil.”

On Wednesday, no fewer than 46 persons including the 33-year-old son of Otukpo Local Government Area Chairman Bako Eje, were killed by suspected herdsmen who invaded Umogidi village of Entekpa-Adoka district in local government in Benue State.

The killing comes barely 24 hours after the same village, an Idoma-speaking community suffered an attack by suspected herdsmen with three persons killed.

Also, suspected herdsmen on Friday attacked Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) camps at Agan in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue with many killed.