Centus Nweze Reporting
Top media professionals of Idoma, a tribal nation in Nigeria, have drawn global attention to the killings in Benue state, according to releases made available to Truth Live News.
Under name, Idoma Editors, the group has condemned in strong terms what it describes as ‘nauseatingly historical killings in Benue communities by suspected terrorists also known as killer herders.’
Senseless killings have resumed across the country after the general elections with horrendous instances happening in Benue.
Samuel Ortom, the state governor had recently called for postponement of the planned national census until such a time when those displaced by the killings in the IDP camp are returned to their homes.
There have been fears in some quarters that marauding militias believed to be insurgents have been repopulating the communities sacked by violence.
But speaking on the resumed killings, Idoma Editors say that the killings of innocent indigenes had “assumed a monumental proportion” during the just-concluded Easter celebration with Umogidi village, Guma and Agan IDPs Camps repeatedly attacked leaving scores dead.
The group made this statement in Abuja via a statement issued at the weekend by the group’s acting president, Adoyi M. Aba.
“We have undertaken a thorough evaluation of this sustained violence against the peace-loving people of Benue state and wish to unequivocally condemn the brazen ex-communication of lives by these suspected terrorists who masquerade as herders.
“We are particularly mindful of the spread of these attacks to more communities in Benue South as the area is historically known to be peaceful, friendly and an excellent host for other Nigerians.
“We are even taken aback by these well-orchestrated attacks that led to the death of no fewer than 50 and injuries to many others in Umogidi village at Adoka District of Otukpo local government area of the state.
“We also denounce the unprovoked attacks on innocent displaced people in the IDPs camps in both Guma and Agan communities in Makurdi.
“These dastardly acts of killing defenceless and vulnerable people, including women and children, in the IDPs camps can only be carried out by blood-thirsty demons masquerading as humans.”
According to the group, even though the governorship election has already produced a governor-elect, “we wish to advise the incumbent governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, not to abdicate his constitutional function of ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state until his last day in office.
“We are not unaware of the enormous security challenge that has limited the progress and development of the state in the last eight years, but that should not stop the government from functioning optimally.
“We, however, thank Governor Ortom for his several efforts made to abate human carnage, even as we hope that the in-coming governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iornem Alia, won’t waste time in re-setting the security architecture to insulate the state from further external aggression,” the group said.