.Commends Gov Alia’s peace efforts
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Sankera-based peace advocacy group has condemned last weekend’s unprovoked attack by suspected armed herdsmen in Mbagena Community in Mchihe Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
11 persons were reportedly killed and many others injured, while property worth several millions of naira was destroyed during the attack.
The group described the perpetrators as criminal elements determined to disrupt the peace achieved by security agencies, particularly the internal military outfit, Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS.
The group, Sankera Peace and Development Forum, SAPEDEF, described the attack as despicable, barbaric, callous and wicked. It also commended security agencies, particularly OPWS for their swift response in containing the situation.
SAPEDEF praised the professionalism of OPWS personnel, emphasizing that their consistent and timely interventions in security incidents across the state is commendable.
In a statement signed by its National President, Dr Paul Gbande, and National Secretary, Doshima Vembe, SAPEDEF extended condolences to the bereaved families, the affected communities and the Benue State government, while calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute all perpetrators and their sponsors.
They also expressed deep concern over the brutality of the attacks and called on the people of Sankera to remain calm. The group assured them of its unwavering confidence in security agencies to uncover those behind the attacks and bring them to justice.
The group clarified that it is not a political group but commended Governor Hyacinth Alia, for his dedication to secure lives and property. It urged him to remain steadfast in the face of political distractions and calculated blackmail from opponents.
The group also praised the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Archdiocese, Most Reverend Isaac Dugu for launching the Sankera Peace Initiative Panel.
The panel seeks to explore ways to engage bandits, involve traditional rulers and restore peace to Sankera region and parts of Wukari Diocese in Taraba State, which shares boundary with Benue.
Meanwhile the group urged sons and daughters of the area to unite with the Benue State government to restore peace. It condemned the renewed attacks on Sankera axis, describing it as a politically motivated criminal act designed to undermine Governor Alia’s administration.
According to SAPEDEF, intelligence reports indicate that five notorious bandits—Mathew, Chen, Full Fire, Overall Konyo, and Anyogo—were directly or indirectly responsible for the recent brutal attacks in Sankera area.
“Reliable intelligence shows that the attack on Katsina-Ala was orchestrated by Overall Konyo in collaboration with Fulani armed herdsmen for his selfish interest.
“Similarly, a few days ago, Chen rustled and killed over 100 cattle, most of which were later recovered by OPWS and other security agencies after a hot pursuit.
“This provocation could have unimaginable consequences if security agencies do not intensify surveillance in the area,” the statement read.
SAPEDEF also alleged that Chen has been deeply involved in kidnap-for-ransom and armed robbery in the region, warning that these criminals pose a serious threat to residents.
“The five notorious bandits—Chen, Full Fire, Overall Konyo and Anyogo— engage in these despicable acts solely to enrich themselves at the expense of their own people’s lives,” the group stated.
SAPEDEF called on the entire Sankera community to rise and defeat the criminals before their activities completely consume the region.
“While we strongly commend the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala for his efforts to negotiate pardon for these bandits, it is now clear that their selfish and criminal activities remain the greatest threat to peace and security in Sankera and Benue State at large,” the group noted.
It alleged that some of these bandits are working with fifth columnists to destabilise Benue State for political reasons, vowing to resist any attempt to make the state ungovernable.
SAPEDEF urged stakeholders in Sankera to unite in identifying and eliminating internal collaborators who are aiding external forces in destabilising the region.
The group thanked Governor Alia for his relentless efforts to restore peace in the state and appealed to the federal and state governments to urgently deploy relief materials to the affected communities.
“As a peace advocacy group working closely with security agencies and stakeholders in Sankera to restore lasting peace, we are deeply concerned by the latest attacks that have claimed innocent lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
“We commend security agencies, especially Operation Whirl Stroke for their prompt and effective intervention, preventing the situation from escalating further.”
SAPEDEF urged community members to support security agencies by providing timely intelligence, emphasizing that collaborative efforts are key to restoring peace in Sankera.
“All that is needed to return Sankera to peace and progress is for stakeholders to unite and call out Chen, Full Fire, Overall Konyo and Anyogo for who they truly are—dangerous criminals.
“While they may be from our region, we must acknowledge that they are working as mercenaries for political interests bent on destabilising Benue State,” the group concluded.
