By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has condemned the wanton killings and destruction of properties in Gbagir and Wa-Ndoo communities in Ukum and Gwer-East Local Government Areas, LGAs of Benue state in the last 72 hours, describing it barbaric and unacceptable.

The party urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to take practical steps to end the killings by fully enforcing the Benue grazing law and ensuring that the letter of the law is obeyed by all.

The Publicity  Secretary of he APC in Benue State, Mr. Daniel Ihomun in a statement issued weekend in Makurdi also appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to take steps to provide succour to the communities affected in the attacks.

Ihomun in the statement noted that “available reports indicate that over 60 persons have been callously murdered by suspected herdsmen during the attacks on the affected Communities.

“The APC extends her deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and urges them to be consoled over their loss in the hope that justice would be served. The party urges them to remain calm and law-abiding amidst their sorrows and pains.

“We call on the Governor Hyacinth Alia led-Government to live up to its expectations in safeguarding the lives and property of Benue Citizens by bringing an end to this killings that have bedevilled the State and stop acting helplessly while innocent lives get wasted.

“We call for practical implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law enacted to bring sanity to cattle business in the state and protect lives and property of the people of Benue state.

“The party, in the same vein, calls on security agencies to do their job of maintaining law and order by fishing out the culprits and making sure such do not repeat itself so that peace will reign in every part of Benue State.

“The APC in Benue State condemns trivial narratives being peddled around the security situation in the State especially the idea that herdsmen were invited into the state via a letter.

“These statements clearly undermines efforts to put the crisis in proper perspectives for appropriate security action. The continuous killing of defenseless villagers in Benue communities indicate that this crisis requires a much more deeper and sincere approach devoid of any political coloration.”

The party in the statement commended members of the Benue Caucus in the National Assembly for their various motions calling on the attention of the Federal Government to the plight of the people of Benue State including the recent one by Senator Representing Benue North East,  Emmanuel Udende who raised a Matter of Urgent National importance at the senate. We equally thank the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio for his prompt action on the matter.

“The APC assures the communities that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the state at heart and would do the needful for peace to return to Benue State. And we call on the National Emergency Management Agency to come to the aide of the communities affected and provide succur to the people.

“Benue people must remain vigilant and report suspicious movements and people to security authorities.”