Group demands end to senseless killings in Benue

A peace advocacy group based in Sankera has strongly condemned the recent violent attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on Mbagena Community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, emphasizing that these attacks were unwarranted and unjustified.

According to the group, the attack which left 11 people dead, undermines the significant progress made by security agencies, including Operation Whirl Stroke, in maintaining peace in the region. The development also left scores injured and extensive property damage estimated in the millions of naira.

The group, operating as Sankera Peace and Development Forum (SAPEDEF) while describing the act as despicable,barbaric and wicked, thanked security agencies, particularly Operation Whirl Stroke for prompt response to the scene of the incident to diffuse the situation.

It noted the timely response and professionalism displayed by men of the military outfit anytime there’s incidents in the state, saying the display of such a feat at Sankera was commendable.

In a statement through its National President, Dr Paul Gbande and National Secretary, Barr. Doshima Vembe, respectively, SAPEDEF, while extending condolences to the bereaved families, the affected communities, and the Government of Benue State, charged security agencies to go all out in fishing the culprits and their sponsors to face justice.

Noting that the level of brutality was deeply troubling, the group called on the people of the area to remain calm, expressing its unflinching confidence in the security agencies to expose those behind the act and subsequently bring them to justice.

SAPEDEF, while clarifying that it was not a political group, commended the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia,for his efforts in securing the life and property of Benue people as a whole. It appealed to him to remain steadfast in the midst of political and calculated blackmail by some political opponents in the state.

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The group praised Catholic Bishop of Katsina Ala Archdiocese, Most Rev. Isaac Dugu, for initiating the Sankera Peace Initiative Panel.

This panel aims to find solutions to engage with bandits, involve community leaders, and restore stability to the Sankera area and neighboring regions in Taraba State.

The peace advocacy group urged the people of the area to unite and work closely with the Governor to restore peace and ensure the safety of lives in Sankera and the entire state.

“Intelligence at our disposal clearly reveals that these bandits who go by the following names:Mathew;Chen; Full Fire ; Overall Konyo and Anyogo are directly or indirectly behind the recent brutal attacks in Sankera general area.

“As reliably gathered,the Katsina-Ala attack was orchestrated by Overall Konyo and his Fulani collaborators. He led the marauding Fulani herdsmen to attack the community for his selfish interest. Also,we reliably gathered a few days ago, Chen rustled and killed over 100 cattle, but most of them were later recovered by men of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and other security agencies after hot pursuit. This is another cause for provocation, whose impact could be unimaginable. If security agencies don’t beef up their security dragnet, there may be attacks at that general area very soon.

“On the other hand, Matthew has been deeply engaged in kidnap-for- ransom and armed robbery in the area. These are dangerous threats to the lives of residents of that general area, and the community must act decisively against these notorious bandits now,” the group stated.