Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Centre for Change has urged the Federal Government to prosecute perpetrators of violence in Benue State to ensure accountability and justice.
Okei-Odumakin made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
The human rights activist condemned the killings, particularly in Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area.
She called on the government to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.
“The massacre is an indictment of the Nigerian military and other security agencies, considering the fact that the crisis in the area has lingered for far too long.
” This is not the time for politicking, as it could trivialise the gravity of the situation and deflect focus from the primary objective of halting the horrifying saga,” Okei-Odumakin said.
She proposed that the government at all levels should find a permanent solution to the orgy of violence that had gripped Benue State and the nation at large in recent years.
The human rights activist stressed the need for the government to prioritise the security and welfare of its citizens.
“Our position is anchored on the fact that the first responsibility of the government is the security and welfare of the people.
“We also call on the people of Benue State to rise to the occasion by assisting the relevant security agencies in whatever way they can to defeat the criminals and agents of darkness.
“I commiserate with the Government and people of Benue State over the tragic event of last weekend,” Okei-Odumakin added.
Benue attacks: NEMA presents relief materials to victims
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has presented essential relief materials to victims of June 13 attacks on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue.
Scores were killed, houses were razed, and other properties were destroyed by the attackers.
NEMA Director General (D-G), Mrs Zubaida Umar, said that the swift deployment of materials was to provide immediate succour to those displaced and affected by the incident.
Umar said that the intervention followed a rapid needs assessment jointly conducted by officials of NEMA, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society and relevant security agencies.
The D-G, who was represented by NEMA North Central Zonal Director, Mr Aliyu Waziri, said that a more detailed assessment of the affected population and infrastructure would be carried out to determine any additional support that might be required.
She listed the relief materials as food and non-food items, including bags of parboiled rice, maize, spaghetti, vegetable oil, seasoning cubes, tomato paste, iodised salt and mattresses.
“NEMA remains committed to working with all stakeholders to alleviate the suffering of victims and restore normalcy to the affected community.
“We pray for peace in our communities to avoid this kind of harrowing experience,” Umar said.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume received the items on behalf of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Akume appreciated NEMA for the swift response and noted that the items would go a long way in providing relief to the victims.