….Assures Of Lasting Peace
Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi Innocent, has said his officers and men engaged in a serious gun duel with the militia herdsmen that attacked the residents of Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area of the state, leaving the trails of blood and sorrow behind.
He said the gun duel was in a bid to protecting the residents of the community
Innocent stressed that the gun fire exchange lasted for six hours on Saturday, pointing out that over 200 persons were killed.
Addressing a group of protesting youths who came out in their large number to demand an end to the bloodshed, Innocent assured the public that the police are on the ground and committed to restoring peace across the state.
“We exchanged gunfire with the attackers for more than six hours during the Yelewata incident. I was monitoring the situation in real time,” the Commissioner stated.
While urging the angry youths and general public to remain calm and support his men in their bid to put an end to the insecurity ravaging the state, Emenari expressed confidence that the development which he described as “a phase” would soon pass.
“In the last one month, you will notice that security presence has intensified across the state. This is just a phase. We are already passing through it. It’s like a snake, when you cut off its head, it still struggles for a while. That is what you’re seeing now. But we have already cut the head of the snake. Peace will definitely return.”
The Commissioner of Police further reiterated his commitment to nipping insecurity in the bud, adding that the force would not rest until Benue enjoys lasting peace.