From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
President Bola Tinubu has assured the people of Benue State that his administration and the entire country are with them in their moment of grief.
The president, who spoke through the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during an official visit to the Government House, Makurdi, yesterday to commiserate with Benue people over the killings, described the incident as a tragedy and evil that must be defeated.
He said Benue is witnessing moments of sorrow with the tragic development perpetrated by forces of evil, emphasising the need for good people to come together to fight the menace.
He assured the governor and the people that the federal government is with them in their time of sorrow.
He expressed displeasure that insecurity had affected almost every part of the world, arguing that though it is impossible for government to send security personnel to all the helmets, it will do more to ensure that the people of Benue enjoy peace.
The president warned those using the sorrowful moment to play politics to desist, expressing optimism that what has befallen the state would be resolved.
Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed that the state had been under siege since 2011 with an unimaginable number of IDPs on a daily basis.
According to the governor, the state had experienced in the past and most recently, attacks and killings orchestrated by bandits, herders and terrorists who know no religion, insisting that the criminals were murderers who have no reason to live with normal human beings.
The governor maintained that Guma Local Government Area was one of the most productive in farm produce, just like Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum known for yam production, arguing that if the state continues to lose its productive population, sooner or later the food basket would become empty.
He lamented that only last Friday, three lives were lost in Katsina-Ala, 27 in Logo and 28 in Ukum Local Government Areas to invaders, acknowledging the efforts of security forces who are working professionally to bring the situation under control.
Alia expressed happiness that President Tinubu will bring support to the state.
On his part, the Senator representing Benue North East, Emmanuel Udende commended President Tinubu for his efforts to restore normalcy and called on the federal government to redouble efforts to protect lives and property.
The senator also cautioned against making the security situation in the state a political weapon to their advantage, appealing that stakeholders close ranks to address the menace.
