CSOs Coalition: Benue Killings Fuelled By Power Tussle, Plots to Declare State of Emergency 

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja 

The Coalition for Civil Society in Nigeria and Advocates of Social Justice have alleged that the violence rocking Benue State is fueled by political crisis in the state.

He added that aggrieved politicians in the state are allegedly orchestrating the killings to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency.

The Chief Convener of the groups, Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta stated this while addressing a press conference on Sunday in Abuja.

The groups added that street and campus cults are being used by politicians to carry out the heinous act.

The groups noted that since the day the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal delivered judgment in favour of the elected councilors from the seven local government areas of Benue North West Senatorial District, zone B, hell has been let loose in Benue. 

Ude-Umanta added that it was worrisome that people who are elected to serve the people are the ones also killing them indirectly, just to score political points.

He said these same characters would boldly tell the world that they are supporting the President yet, they are bastardizing his administration and secretly sponsoring insecurity in the state.

Against this background, the groups called on the security agencies to immediately go after the serial killers in Benue state. 

Ude-Umanta stated: “Since the day the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal delivered judgment in favour of the elected councilors from the seven local government areas of Benue North West Senatorial District, zone B, hell has been let loose in Benue. 

“Every day there are pockets of killings which we believe are being sponsored by some national assembly members who constitute themselves as enemies of the state.

“It is worrisome that people who are elected to serve the people are the ones also killing them indirectly, just to score political points.  What will the people gain if they continue to lose their loved ones because you want a state of emergency declared in your own State?

“These rascals must be stopped. Do they think that Nigerians would fold their arms and watch these few elements pull down the country?

“We call on the security agencies to immediately go after the serial killers in Benue State. Street and campus cults are being used while they would blame it on the state governor for failing to provide security even though they know fully well that state governors do not have control over security matters in Nigeria but the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

“These same characters will boldly tell the world that they are supporting Mr. President yet, they are bastardizing his administration and secretly sponsoring insecurity in Benue State.”