TheCable

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, says politicians should stop politicising the insecurity situation in the state.

Alia spoke on Saturday when he visited Gbajir, Ityulugh district in Ukum LGA of the state where 45 residents were reportedly killed by members of a militia.

The governor asked politicians in the state to support him in the fight against insecurity “instead of politicising it”.

On March 6, Emmanuel Udende, senator representing Benue-north, said gunmen “parading as herdsmen” attacked some communities in Logo and Katsina-Ala LGAs and killed about 50 people.

“If politicians are sponsoring militia gangs, as the traditional leaders have pointed out, let them stop such evil. Their communities, the families in their local governments, want peace,” NAN quoted Alia as saying.

“The person that went out there to cry wolf, has to come back and answer to his traditional rulers.

“He must tender apologies to me as the governor of the state, and then to the entire people of the state.”

The governor said the herders in the state were already complying with the 14-day ultimatum given to them“only for the militia group to attack them, kidnap some, and rustle 61 cattle”.

“Ransom was paid, but only two people were released, which led to the reprisal attack by the armed herders,” he said.

“A lot would have been averted if the herders had been allowed to retreat peacefully, but the action of few evil people has put innocent people in harm’s way.”

Alia said Udende did not present all the facts about the situation that led to the escalation of the crisis to the senate.

“Udende is from Ukum and knows most of the young men there; it means he is in a position to know the fighting groups. We want him to expose anyone suspected to be sponsoring violence in Ukum,” he added.

He called on the neighbouring security group and traditional rulers to be vigilant, adding that people inciting violence should stop or face the consequences of their actions.