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MAKURDI – Following the spate of killings perpetrated by Fulani militia herdsmen, youths in Naka, headquarters of Gwer-West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, on Tuesday set ablaze the local government secretariat in reaction to the killing of three men of the Benue Protection Guards.
As the Guards who were probably killed in Gyaruwa community of the local government area on Monday night, were brought into Naka town, it sparked protests by youths of the LGA as part of ways to show their grieviances on the incessant killings that have continued in the area.
The Chairman, of the LGA, Victor Omirin, Special Adviser on Internal Security to the governor, Joseph Har, and the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police have all confirmed the incident.
Daily Independent gathered that when the guards were brought into Naka from Gyaruwa, the youth took to the streets in protest, heading to the LGA secretariat, where they set it on fire, citing alleged lackadaisical attitude of concerned authorities towards their plight as reason for their actions.
They had later proceeded to the palace of Ter Nagi, the paramount ruler, HRH Chief Daniel Abomtse and the hotel belonging to Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North-West senatorial district at the Senate and set them both structures on fire.
Later in the day INDEPENDENT learned that additional structures were torched. They include the palace of the Mue Ter, Zaki Ormin; the house of a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2015 election, Engineer Felix Atume; the house of another prominent politician, Kenneth Iyo and the house of a prominent man in the area simply identified as Cheme were also torched.
Although, we are yet to ascertain the level of damage done in all instances, we learned that at the house of the paramount ruler, three vehicles and a motor bike as well as his house were burnt as a result of the actions of the rampaging youth.
We gathered that at the time of the incident Chief Abomtse, was away from the area on medical treatment.
Although, the Council chairman told us that those that were killed were men of the Protection Guards, the Special Adviser on Internal Security, denied the claims that the victims of the Fulani herdsmen killings were members of the Guards.
Daily Independent learned at the time of compiling this report, that Naka town was still soaked in tension.
But in swift reaction to the arson committed by youths of the area, the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, who condemned that action of the rampaging youth, also condemned the killing of the Guards by the armed herdsmen.
In the press statement which was issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Sir Kula Tersoo, the state government admitted that the three persons that were killed by the herdsmen were indeed men of the State Civil Protection Guards.
According to Kula, “The Governor decried the “attack and murder of three brave members of the Civil Protection Guards who were on duty to protect our locals at On-MbaAondo, Tsambe-Mbesev ward of Gwer-West Local Government.
“The inhuman act, carried out by marauding armed herdsmen, is once more, a flagrant affront to the peace and security of our communities. We regret the burning of the local government secretariat and the palace of Ter Nagi by protesters.
“While we empathize with the sentiments of our people, we advocate restraint and foresight in funneling this anger. Destruction of our own worths simply serves to frustrate the intentions of our government, which is devoted to building up peace and security in the state.”
Therefore, “We request all security organs to intensify efforts in detecting and capturing the perpetrators of this heinous atrocity. The security of our residents is paramount, and we will not rest until those culpable for this violence are held liable.”
Kula stressed that government was working assiduously to enhance security and protect communities from further attacks by herdsmen. We implore all citizens to stand vigilant and collaborate with security agencies in reporting unusual activities”, he added.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, Sewuese Anene also confirmed the incident.
She said, “Information has been received about an on going protest in Naka and the Commissioner of Police moved this morning to the area with other tactical teams.
“Further development (about the situation in Naka) will be communicated to you”, she said.
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