Once known for its serenity and natural endowment, the nation’s ‘food basket’, Benue State is fast becoming a battleground of sorts. Michael Oche and Solomon Ayado write that while all attention in the country seem to be focused on the Boko Haram menace, the people of Benue now sleep with an eye open.
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Few days ago, the zonal director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Makurdi network centre, Maxwell Loko, was robbed in Makurdi. Before the attack, Loko, who had just resumed duty as the new director had lodged at Lucia, a hotel located along the Old Otukpo Road, high level, Makurdi for six days, and that he had gone out at about 6p.m. When he returned at 11p.m, thieves had broken into his hotel room and made away with cash and property worth N500,000.
Few days later, a man was allegedly roasted to death by Fulani herdsmen, at Wadata, near the bank of the river Benue in Makurdi, the state capital. According to sources, the man was taken to an exclusive part of the river bank, where he was roasted by his assailants. Those within earshot said though they heard him shout, his assailants refused to spare him.
For some residents, the unfortunate incidents called for speedy government intervention, but the government itself seemed to be at a loss as to what to do, as it is also caught in the web of the insecurity. Recently, gunmen suspected to be hired assassins attacked the special adviser to the Benue state governor on media and public affairs, Dr. Cletus Akwaya. They pumped bullets into his head and left him for dead.
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY learnt that the four, armed men had, at about 9p.m ambushed Akwaya at a restaurant behind the NNPC mega petrol station in Makurdi.
While speakingpoke to journalists at the emergency ward of the federal medical centre (FMC) Makurdi, Akwaya disclosed that he had gone to the restaurant after meeting with some political associates, when some young men suddenly grabbed him and manhandled him.
If happenings are anything to go by, the security situation in Benue state is steadily worsening. Perpetrators violent crimes are getting bolder, as crimes are committed daily daily. Residents say they no longer sleep with their eyes closed, as they have been left at the mercy of hoodlums who, often times, break into houses and shops, requesting huge sums of money.
A teacher, Akende Pem, described the development as a “dastardly one”. In his opinion, “any state that does not guarantee the security of the lives and property of its citizens cannot achieve any meaningful development”. Having lost his car at gun point, Pem is, indeed, in a better position to narrate his ordeal.
He had been commending the security operatives in the state before he was robbed of his car. Now that he has, paid dearly for trusting an inept security outfit, he felt the opportunity to let Nigerians know the security challenges faced by the state has come.
“This is not good for our state. Those who are engaging in this destructive act do not mean well for the development of the state, but the government must not relent in its efforts to beef up security in the state. This is the only way the lives of citizens can be safeguarded. I do not subscribe to all these theft of peoples’ belongings,” Pem said.
Deacon Lubem Daniel, a member of the clergy, said he was highly disappointed at the politically motivated killings in the state, and said that it is “tantamount to playing politics with human lives”.
“Politics is one of the many ways through which development can be fostered. Development can not be brought about by tyranny and wanton killings of other humans. These deeds cannot improve one’s political profile”.
Daniel was optimistic that “those who live by the sword will certainly die by it.
“It is high time our self-seeking politicians realise the rules of the game of politics and, as such, try to play in a way that it will be favourable to all.
“I do not think the burning of houses is developmental. I think that it is the most foolish way of hampering development. Many people think if you destroy you have inflicted harm on a person, forgetting that if you do not wish anyone well, you cannot do well yourself. I just want to advise that we should not settle for crises, it does not bring any progress to a people, only destruction”.
In a chat with LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, a student, Jonah Ejeh, blamed the state of insecurity on the state government. “Indeed, the government has nothing to say. You can not imagine that top government officials sponsor thugs and equip them with arms to terrorise their opponents. Once these good-for-nothing thugs get custody of these weapons, they go about harassing people, and robbing them of their valuables. Such shameful behaviour is not an indicator of civilisation, but, the government must take steps towards finding lasting solutions to these threats. If not, there will be no progress in this state,” Ejeh said.
A security personnel, who pleaded anonymity, said, “The cause of the security challenge in the state can be traced to the crooked ways of our people. They do not, at any point, have the interest of the masses at heart. In as much as government makes effort to beef up security, politicians must compliment the effort by desisting from playing politics of bitterness”.
The commissioner of police in the state, Emmanuel Obiakor, told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that the command was doing everything possible to arrest perpetrators of the heinous crimes in the state. He pointed out that the command had recently arrested a manufacturer of pistols in the state.
A newspaper vendor around High Level, Makurdi, who simply gave his name as Terry, narrated his experience to our correspondent. “Those boys came in a car and ordered me to give them some money. They were looking dangerous. These are popular boys in this town, but I did not have money at hand, so they ended up humiliating me and they went ahead to scare me, that if by the next day I failed to provide a handsome amount, I would have to consider myself gone.
“In fact, up to this moment, I am afraid, because I do not know when they will come and how much they may request. I pray the state government to ensure our security.”
Another public office holder, a politician and a senior aide to the government, who pleaded anonimity, said, “my brother, most times we do not know what to do. The boys would harass you for money and if you dare not give, they threaten to kill you. We are only living by the mercy of God, pending when all these things will be eradicated”.
Most residents in the state described the security situation in the state as “loose and slack”.
The raging insecurity and rate of loss of lives and property are alarming. Many are no longer comfortable with their stay and have concluded arrangements to flee the state.
Although, feelers said the administration of Governor Gabriel Suswam is “working round the clock to ensure the safety of lives and property”, residents were on the verge of losing their trust in the government, and have urged the state government to deal with growing insecurity concerns, especially the band of thugs. Only such a move, people of the state agree, will bring back investors in the state.
The governor has stated categorically that “no level of provocation by the opposition” will deter him from safeguarding the lives of the majority. He was also optimistic that, he would “not tolerate any acts of rascality” from any quarter or individuals.
The question many have sought an answer to is, ‘why snatch cars, burgle houses, kill and maim, and burn the house of innocent people in the state, not a top priority?’ The people of Benue are awaiting accurate answers .?????????????????????