By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—Worried by the unending killings in Benue villages by suspected herdsmen, leaders of 12 ethnic groups from across the country have  demanded for the immediate restructuring of Nigeria to accommodate the creation of state Police and ensure true federalism in the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari

In a statement by the chairman, communiqué drafting committee, Chief Dan Ekah and other tribal leaders at the end of an emergency meeting weekend, in Makurdi by the ethnic groups resident in Benue and part of Nasarwa states, the ethnic leaders commended the collective steps taken by the leadership of Mdzough U Tiv, Idoma National Forum and Omi Ny’Igede to end the recurrent killings in Benue State and resolved to support the initiative.

The statement read in part, “we however blame the Federal Government for her lukewarm approach to the killings of innocent citizens, we therefore have no confidence in the Nigeria Police Force handling of the massacre in Benue and other states, as they are extremely bias especially the Inspector General of Police.

We therefore reaffirm our support for ranching as best solution to herdsmen/farmers clashes and condemned the idea of cattle colony.”

The leaders appealed to the Governor of Nasarawa State to check the usage of his state as transit camp for herdsmen attacking Benue and also check the pogrom against the Tiv people in Nasarawa State, saying “We also urge  all socio-cultural organizations such as the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Afenifere, South- South and Middle Belt Forums and others to join forces with the Benue Community to defend their people. And given the humanitarian crisis created by the development, we appeal to humanitarian organizations to come to the assistance of the internally displaced persons in Benue State.”