- Safiu Kehinde
The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called for immediate investigation into the fresh attack on Benue State community by suspected armed herdsmen.
NPO Reported that a group do suspected armed herdsmen had on Saturday launched an attack on Yelewata town in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
The assailants also laid ambush for a team of Nigerian Army and Civil Defence operatives responding to the attack, killing two soldiers and one Civil Defence officer.
Expressing his sadness over the attack, Atiku in a post on his X handle on Sunday, maintained that the killings underscored the escalating insecurity crisis facing Nigeria.
He labelled the attack as not just a tragedy but a national emergency the deserves immediate attention and decisive action.
The ex-Vice President urged the Federal Government and the Benue State government to launch a prompt, transparent investigation into the attack, stressing that the identities of the perpetrators must be swiftly uncovered and justice served.
He also called on the government to enhance security presence in the region.
The statement read in part; “I am deeply anguished and shocked by the devastating news of the fresh attacks in Benue State, where over 100 innocent lives are feared lost.
“This killings, once again targeting defenceless communities, underscores the escalating insecurity crisis facing our nation. Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt by those left widowed, orphaned, or displaced.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities who have suffered unimaginable loss. As a nation, we must pause and reflect on the mounting human toll of this senseless violence.
I urge the Federal “Government and Benue State authorities to:
“Launch a prompt, transparent investigation into the attack. The identities of the perpetrators must be swiftly uncovered and justice served.
“Enhance security presence in the region, deploying necessary resources, personnel, equipment, and intelligence to guarantee the protection of vulnerable rural areas.
“Engage affected communities through dialogue, traditional leadership, and civil society to restore confidence and foster resilience.
“Accelerate compensation and support effort, including medical aid, trauma counselling, and livelihood restoration for survivors and bereaved families.
“This assault on innocent Nigerians is not just a local tragedy, it is a national emergency that demands immediate attention and decisive action.
“I call on all Nigerians regardless of tribe or religion to unite in condemning this atrocity. We must hold our leaders accountable and insist on sustainable solutions to the violent tragedies claiming lives across the country.
“May God comfort the grieving families, heal our nation, and help us reclaim peace and security for all.”