A coalition of civil society organisations has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what it described as a coordinated effort by certain political actors to destabilise Benue state.
The group alleged that certain politicians are fuelling violence in the state to provoke a declaration of emergency rule.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, Igwe Ude-Umanta, the coalition’s chief convener, said the situation in Benue escalated following a recent ruling by the state election tribunal.
He was joined by co-conveners Guana Joseph Benjamin, Tijani Usman, Danielson Momoh, Abdulmumuni Tijani and Alfred Audu Gbaja.
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“Since the day Benue state local government election tribunal delivered judgment in favour of the elected councillors from the seven local government areas of Benue north west senatorial district, hell has been let loose in Benue,” Ude-Umanta said.
“Everyday, there are pockets of killings and there are rumours of the killings being sponsored by some politicians who constitute themselves as enemies of the state.
“It is worrisome that people who were elected to serve the people are the ones also killing them indirectly, just to score political points.”
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The coalition called on security agencies to take immediate action to halt the killings in the state, which it claimed are being carried out by cult groups.
The group expressed its support for Tinubu’s efforts in addressing insecurity and urged for a more thorough investigation into the wave of violence in the state.
“We make bold to say that Mr President has achieved so much in the area of security and he should be supported by all well-meaning Nigerians to do more,” the group said.
“We understand that if the security agencies did a thorough investigation of the killings in Benue, many politicians would go down.”
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