By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has appealed to the Masev nation to relax their apprehension as his remarks regarding the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property in Wandor, Mbaikyor, of Mbalom Council Ward, Gwer East Local Government has no ill intended on the part of government.
Reacting to the press conference addressed in Makurdi on Sunday by Prof. Vearumun Tarhule, President General of Masev Development Association, MDA, for the Masev Nation, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula regretted in a statement that, “a section of Masev feels injured by official statements regarding the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property in Wandor, Mbaikyor, of Mbalom Council Ward, Gwer East Local Government”.
The statement said, “His Excellency recognises the perennial attacks from herders over the years, and as a government this cannot be lost on us. As the Chief Security officer, the Governor works closely with communities and security organisations, receives security intelligence and other privileged briefings regularly”.
The statement pointed out that, “Masev people cannot as a people be termed cattle rustlers. No! The Governor did not call them so because we are aware of their collective efforts to ensure safety in the land. However, the unfortunate crises or attacks at stake drew from criminal elements that were involved in mischievous acts which tend to result into the indiscriminate action from criminal herder gangs. This is a fact, as sad as it may sound. This in no way approves of the killings or seeks to undermine same. No!
The CPS further explained that, “Cattle rustling or any mischievous act does not and should not warrant lawlessness especially, to the extent of taking scores of lives and disrupting public order by any individual or group(s). Significantly the mere presence of open grazing cattle is an illegality in itself. Security operatives are keenly at work and perpetrators of these heinous crimes will surely be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law”.
“While it has been challenging for security agencies, together with the state government, we have adopted extra measures after the “window” for the kinetic approach on all cattle not in ranches to leave the State. The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 is fully in force and we are working closely with security agencies to see to its full enforcement and guarantee a Benue of our dream where our people can sleep with their two eyes closed”, the CPS enthused.
According to Sir Kula, “though rustling is fingered in this latest Mbalom attack, it is not an indictment on Masev people, and a leverage for gangs of herders and their agents. No. It is not an indictment on the entire Masev people in no way”.
He pointed out that, “It remains the constitutional responsibility of Governor Hyacinth Alia to protect all citizens and their lands, and reference to allegation of rustling does not entail any slack of responsibility or trading blames with the people, adding that, Loss of lives cannot be justified under any account irrespective of whatever is the immediate or remote cause. This again is not a justification of perennial killings caused by militant herdsmen over the years”.
“Government feels concerned and wishes the National Executive Council of the Masev Development Association, and entire Masev people not to view the Governor’s remarks so damaging of their integrity. The apprehension of the people should be relaxed as no ill is intended on the part of government”, the statement said.
