Some indigenes of Benue State, under the aegis of Zone A Voters League (ZAVL) on Sunday accused politicians of playing politics with the recent killings by militia gangs in some parts of the state.

The group’s position is contained in a communique issued at its expanded stakeholders meeting and signed by local government coordinators from Kwande LGA Pastor Saater Akaa, Katsina Ala LGA Coordinator Comrade Jacob Avaan, Ushongo LGA Coordinator Bar. Peter Gwa Gagir, Vandeikya LGA Coordinator Dr. George Akaangee, Ukum LGA Coordinator, Comrade Maurice Biam, and Konshisha LGA Coordinator Engr. Adaa Ibuan respectively.

The communique which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, also called on anti-graft agencies to investigate the ₦200,000,000 given to a certain senator as palliative to distribute to his constituents.

They said: “The recent security situation in Benue State especially in areas such as Agatu and parts of Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Kwande Local Government Areas which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent human lives has devastated not just those who are directly affected but the state at large. Despite coordinated efforts on the part the Government of Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iornem Alia, it seems certain mischief makers and highly placed politicians who are supposed to be part of the solution have decided rather, to exploit this unfortunate situation to their political advantage.

“Consequently, the Zone A Voters League (ZAVL), a socio-political group of young professionals and elites from the Zone A Senatorial District in Benue State, having observed the show of shame exhibited by a certain senator at the hallowed Chambers of the Nigerian Senate in a bid to spite our amiable Governor and bring to disrepute his tireless efforts in combating the lingering insecurity ravaging the state, convened a One-Day Expanded Stakeholders meeting “commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his steps in maintaining stability in the state by reinforcing security measures such as the full implementation of the State’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 to stop the criminal activities of the armed herders in the state. The State Security Council meeting headed by the Governor resolved previously to give a fourteen-day-ultimatum believed to be a non-kinetic approach to enable the criminals to pull out of the state”.

The indigenes who disapproved of the Senate President’s comments which they alleged was an indication he had taken sides over the worsening insecurity, in the state, called for his apology and retraction of statements made against Governor Alia.

“We condemn in strong terms the rather uncharitable remarks of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio who, as a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State ought to have understood the complexities of fighting insecurity. We insist that such utterances be retracted and an apology issued to the Governor and people of Benue State.

“Taking sides and playing to the gallery over a sensitive issue such as the loss of lives is unbecoming of a leader of Akpabio’s standing. Insinuating that Governor Hyacinth Alia has not taken the security of lives in the state as a ‘first line of thought’ and issuing infantile advice on the use of security votes is malicious.”