By Akinwale Kasali
Following the recent and continuous killings in Benue State, a Civil Society Group, CSO, under the aegis of Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, CONYL, has urged President Bola Tinubu to fish out perpetrators of this dastardly act.
The Group said the Presidency needs to act on the continuous killings in the State and declare a state of security emergency in the State.
CONYL, an umbrella of youth groups in the country, has said that the incessant raids of agrarian communities by bandits and killer herdsmen are responsible for the scarcity of food in the country.
The Group in a Statement in reaction to the recent attack on Wandor, Mbaikyor communities in Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State which claimed no fewer than 15 lives including a retired Army officer from the community, described the attack as barbaric.
The invaders razed over 50 houses, huts, farmlands and food barns in 11 settlements during the attack.
CONYL in a strongly worded statement by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, demanded the arrest of those behind the barbaric attack.
According to CONYL, mere condemnation of such provocative attacks by the Presidency without any concrete action against the perpetrators is no longer acceptable.
The group demanded action against the perpetrators to regain public confidence.
“These farmlands and foods were all destroyed by these terrorists at a time Nigerians are dieing of hunger, hardship and starvation.
“This gross act of wickedness must not be swept under the carpet. The culprits must be brought to book immediately.
“The hunger and hardship ravaging our nation today is as a result of the series of attack on the food basket of the nation and those behind the attacks left to go Scott free. This is gross injustice.
“No nation can survive if she fails the protect her food bank against invaders and terrorists. Food remains the backbone of any nation and without food no nation can survive.”
CONYL solicited the support of Nigerians for the people of Benue against their attackers.
We urge all Nigerians of good conscience and all lovers of democracy to rally round the good people of Benue State to ensure there are not swiped out by these terrorists who wants Nigerians to die of hunger and starvation.”
It also called for decisive military action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“We , therefore , call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately release all the military arsenals against the terrorists who are hell-bent on seeing Nigerians die of hunger, hardship and starvation.
“The truth remains that the attacks on Benue state is a well calculated attempt to ensure that Nigerians go to bed hungry which will make make revolt against the federal government and President Tinubu should not allow should orchestrated wicked evil plot to go come to fruition. The President must act now to stop these enemies of our nation.”
