The Benue State chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Abba Yaro has called on the indegens of the state to rise up and defend their communities from attacks by Fulani herdsmen which he described as an invitation for civil War.
He said that the massive killing of over 50 Benue people by the Fulani herdsmen is clear case of ethnic cleansing around the Benue Valley which must be stopped immediately.
In a Statement in Abuja, the state APC boss emphasised the urgent need for all Benue Sons and daughters, irrespective of Party affiliation to rise in defense of Benue Communities.
He called on the Chief of Army Staff, the Interior Minister, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector General of Police to protect Benue communities or “we rise in self defence, which will amount to the second civil war.
“if the Fulanis are not called to order by the relevant authorities to stop the ethnic cleansing, like the lawless Fulanis are doing, Benue people shall take laws into their hands in self defense.
“This is above Party politics. It is human lives. How can you kill a pregnant woman and removed the unborn child yet slaughtered it? It is barbaric, unspeakable and generally unpalatable.”
Abba Yaro said that the anti open grazing Law in Benue is not targeted at any section of the people but for the general security of Benue State, a measure against cattle rustling and a solution to herders/farmers clash.
“The implementation is ongoing and we are in support of our governor, we are not deterred, the Anti Open Grazing Law has come to stay.
“Nigerians should not see the killings as a Benue problem but National crisis, the absence of peace in Benue is an absence of peace in Nigeria.
“We must treat it as a national ethnic cleansing by the Fulanis and collectively pressurize Mr President to put an end to it. If Boko Haram can be defeated, IPOB stopped, Fulani killings can be stopped.” [myad]
