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BENUE, Nigeria - The Coalition for Civil Society in Nigeria has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the wave of politically motivated killings that have plagued Benue State recently.
At a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, led by Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, the coalition asserted that the violence escalated following the ruling of the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal, which favored the elected councilors from the seven local government areas of Benue North West Senatorial District, zone B. Collaborating with social justice advocates, the coalition reported that there have been ongoing incidents of killings purportedly funded by certain members of the National Assembly, who they labeled as adversaries of Benue State.
The coalition called on Tinubu to take immediate action to “reduce the influence in Abuja that supports civil unrest” in Benue State, expressing concern that those elected to serve the populace are simultaneously contributing to their demise for political advantage.
They questioned, “What will the people gain if they continually lose their loved ones just because you desire a state of emergency declared in your own State? These troublemakers must be stopped. Do they believe Nigerians will remain passive while these few individuals undermine the country?”
The group urged security forces to promptly target the serial killers in Benue State, claiming that street and campus cults are being exploited to carry out these acts while blaming the State Governor for the lack of security, despite the absence of control over security matters at the national level.
They highlighted the involvement of certain discontented individuals from Benue State, including a former APC Chairman, current National Assembly members, and presidential appointees, as the masterminds behind the plan to instigate chaos in the state. The coalition emphasized that this must not be permitted.
Furthermore, they noted: “We implore President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be vigilant as those in question are present within the government and have access to financial resources and could resort to any means to prove their point.
“President, your adversaries are among you, yet you will triumph over all hostilities. These individuals possess connections to security and significant illicit funds that could be weaponized against anyone or authority.
It is crucial for President to recognize that his administration is under attack from those he appointed to key positions, all while attempting to undermine the Executive Governor of Benue State, who is effectively working for the people.
“We are aware, and they are aware, that their sole aim is to incite civil unrest, leading to more deaths and suffering in Benue communities and Nigeria as a whole, merely to tarnish the government's reputation. The Inspector General of Police must take this intelligence seriously, as the situation is critical. The Police need to be visible in their efforts, much like the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria is actively engaged.”
