*Gov Alia Condemns Yelwata Massacre, Says More Security Personnel Have Arrived
By Sam Tyav, Makurdi, and other reports
Irate youths, disappointed by the seeming lack of effective action by the authorities to combat killer herdsmen, who reportedly murdered over 250 persons within 48 hours in parts of the State at the weekend, today staged a peaceful protest to register their displeasure.
Carrying palm fronds, they blocked the busy Makurdi-Abuja highway to drive home their feelings.
In return, today, police in the State tear-gassed them, to disperse the protesters.
The latest murders involved the gruesome killing of over 200 residents of Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state in the early hours of Saturday -a development roundly slammed by many prominent citizens of the State, including former Senate President David Mark who described it as despicable and unacceptable.
Reports said entire families were wiped out in the Yelwata massacre with the terrorists pouring petrol on and then setting fire to residences, literally roasting anything that breathes inside the apartments.
All attired in black, symbolic of mourning, and displaying placards, the protesters had demanded justice and urgent action from the state and federal governments.
Their grief-filled chants and anger rent the air with many motorists and bystanders shaking their heads in apparent resonance with the emotions being exhibited by the protesters, who urged a termination to the unrelenting killings in the North-Central State.
Their action impeded vehicular movement, creating gridlock in the process.
The atmosphere, however, changed when armed police personnel arrived the scene and proceeded to start firing canisters of teargas in a bid to disperse the protesters.
The scene quickly transformed to chaos, panic, confusion with the protesters and bystanders scampering for safety, with some injuries trailing the stampede.
Prior to the protest, the state Government had warned against unlawful gatherings and confrontations, particularly by the youth, over the rising tension in many terrorism-ravaged localities.
That, however, failed to stop the youth, who complained of being allegedly made to be like sitting ducks in affected communities following perceived little or no action by the concerned authorities.
Reacting to the Yelwata killings, the State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, strongly condemned the attacks and massacre of the innocent citizens, saying nothing should warrant taking of life.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, spoke on behalf of the Governor when he visited Yelwata on assessment.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, today said the Deputy Governor visited the scene of the heinous act earlier on the directives of the Governor and delivered the message, assuring that the Governor was not resting on his oars to ensure the state experiences peace.
The statement read,in part: “Governor Hyacinth Alia acknowledges and shares in your pains and grief caused by the attacks on your community by criminal elements suspected to be armed herdsmen.”
The State Government, the statement added, was consistently engaging with federal security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen security interventions and provide lasting solutions to the persistent attacks.
He stated that several security tactical teams had started arriving the state from the Federal Government while additional security deployments were being arranged for vulnerable areas.
The statement read: “Response Squad Teams are also deployed and will be in Benue from Sunday; strategic community dialogues are ongoing to enhance active intelligence sharing.
“The state’s joint operations units are also being strengthened, and government will not relent in its utmost commitment to defending the lives and properties of all residents.”
Again, the government urged leaders at all levels to sensitize and rein in the youth and others “against unlawful gatherings or confrontations that may spiral out of control.”
“In the spirit of peace and unity, we call on religious, traditional, and political leaders across the state to sensitize and guide the youths under their influence against unlawful gatherings or confrontations that may spiral out of control.”
The Governor, according to the statement, appealed to the public to make use of official communication channels to report any suspicious activities and to stay informed through credible sources.
He insisted that the government remained committed to justice, peace, and security for all.
