Benue community rejects Atiku’s sympathy message over bandits’ attack

Sule condemns killing of Tiv farmers in Nasarawa

The Gbeji Community in Ukum Local Council of Benue State has rejected the sympathy message of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, describing it as mockery.

Atiku had, in a message of sympathy to the community after attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, said: “I am saddened by the sustained clashes between farmers and herders that led to the loss of lives, including those of police officers in Gbeji community, Ukum Local Council of Benue State.

“When our people are well integrated into communities where they live, work, pay taxes and raise their children, they would be obligated to reciprocate the love and acceptance. My deepest condolences to the families that may have lost a loved one and to the people and government of Benue State.”

BUT the eldest child of Gbeji and Market Overseer, Jonathan Gbeji, in a statement he signed and mandated one of his brothers, Daniel Gbeji, former Ukum Local Council PDP chairman, to read before newsmen, the community rejected the condolence message, describing it as a mockery.

IN another development, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has condemned in totality, the recent attack that resulted in the killing of over 15 Tiv farmers in Obi and Keana councils by suspected herdsmen.

Sule lamented the resurgence of attacks in some local councils while assuring that he will stop at nothing to ensure peace is restored.

The governor made the condemnation when he paid a courtesy call on members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nasarawa State Council and the Correspondents’ Chapel, yesterday, at the NUJ Press Centre in Lafia.

He, however, urged the affected communities to remain calm as the state government was making frantic efforts to address the situation.