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As bandits kill 7 in Benue
From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi with Agency report
Following the Christmas Eve attacks that claimed the lives of scores of people in some Plateau State communities, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to initiate the process of proscribing the armed militia alleged to be behind the incidents as terrorists.
This is just as bandits in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State killed seven people.
CAN said the proscription will give the security agencies the power to fully engage the terrorists, as provided in the Terrorism Act of 22.
ECWA President, who is also the Vice President of CAN in Plateau State, Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, made the call during a Peace Walk in Jos on Monday.
He said, “We unanimously call on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as a matter of urgency, to initiate the process of officially proscribing the armed terrorist militias responsible for these mindless killings.
“They should be officially designated as terrorists. This will give the military the power to fully engage them as provided in the Terrorism Act of 2022.
“It is on record that in 2015, the Global Terrorism index (GTI) named the armed Fulani militias as the fourth deadliest terror group in the world.
“Nigeria must urgently act and treat them as such while also engaging other West African countries, through ECOWAS, to do the same thing.
“A regional approach, consensus and action have become extremely imperative to deal with the menace of the Fulani militias.”
On ameliorating the sufferings of victims of the attacks in the region, CAN called for the establishment of a North Central Development Commission.
“We strongly appeal to the Federal Government to establish the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
“This has become necessary following the frequent attacks and wanton destruction of lives and properties across the zone in the last decade.
“Therefore, the massive and unrelenting destruction of lives and properties in the Savannah belt region of the Middlebelt, which has witnessed continuous attacks and killings in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger States; and Southern Kaduna, make a strong case for the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
“This will help immensely in the rebuilding and rehabilitation process of the affected communities,” Panya said.
Responding, Governor Caleb Mutfwang assured that his administration will not fold its arms while the people are slaughtered.
He said, “We have seen some attempts by the security agencies to do the needful. We have also seen some lapses, which we are also discussing with them.
“By the grace of God, I have told you before, that I didn’t come as governor to preside over burial ceremonies.
“By the grace of God, we will move from the book of Lamentations to the book of Acts.
“We will not sit back and watch our people slaughtered. By the grace of God, we will do all that it takes to ensure that this carnage is stopped, and our land is secured.
“By the grace of God the blood of the people that have been shed, will not be in vain, it will continue to cry for justice.
“President Bola Tinubu has assured me he will bring this carnage to an end.”
Meanwhile, seven persons were reportedly killed in a renewed attack by bandits in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The bandits were said to have attacked a commercial vehicle between Arufu and Chembe villages on Sunday and shot at passengers.
The attackers were later reported to have invaded Mchia community in the night and killed seven passengers.
Several others were reported to have been missing during the invasion.
A community leader, Anawah Joseph who spoke to our correspondent through phone on Monday explained that the attackers laid ambush on the road shooting on a commercial vehicle between Arufu and Chembe villages.
He said, “Armed fulani herders in collaboration with Jukun militias on Sunday shot at commercial vehicle heading to Iorza where some passengers suffered injury.
“They also invaded Mchia where they slaughtered eight people.
However, Chairman of the local government, Rev Adagbe Jonathan who spoke to our correspondent on Monday said that seven people were killed while several others were still missing.
He said, “It’s true that armed herders in collaboration with Jukun militias attacked my people yesterday (Sunday) at about 9pm.
“With the help of policemen, we were able to recover five corpses on Sunday night while two corpses were recovered this morning (Monday morning). They also shot at a commercial vehicle where two people were injured.
“As am talking to you now, the two people who sustained injuries have been takeb to hospital at Anyim but many people are still missing.
The council chairman who said he was on his way to report the incident to the security adviser, Joseph Har added that the attackers were armed herders hired by Jukun militias.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relation Officer, Catherine Anene were unsuccessful.
