Defend Yourselves, Wike tells Benue People
From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
Loading ...River State Governor, Nyesom Wike has asked the people of Benue state to use every available, lawful means to defend themselves against Fulani aggression.
Wike who stated this when he visited Governor Samuel Ortom in Makurdi, last week to identify and sympathize with him over the killing of 73 innocent farmers also donated the sum of N200 million to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in the state.
Wike who said he is a lover of peace advised the people not to take the laws into their hands saying “but when you see an armed robber coming to your house, if you defend hou, if you defend yourself, that is not taking laws into your hands”.
He said he was in Benue to sympathize with a brother a brother who has a problem and not in the state to politik because what happened to Benue was beyond politics.
“This is the time to go beyond party affiliation and talk about the challenges that confronts us. Even if you hate Benue state, because of the loss of lives, you have a duty to come and sympathize with them.
“For us Christians, we value and cherish human lives especially these ones whoย have not committed any offense but wereย killed in their sleep and while they were carrying out their legitimate businesses.
“Sorry my brother. Your pain is our pain. Nothing justifies the loss of innocent lives whether the Governor was right or wrong. Imagine deaths everywhere, no one is free again, many widows and orphans for no just cause.
“The authorities must own up to the fact that they have failed so that we can all sit together and profer lasting solution to menace,” he said.
In his response, Governor Samuel Ortom who was humbled by Wilke’s visit thanked the entire people of Rivers State for the visit, their kind words, the donation and for demonstrating their disgust for the killings in Benue.
Ortom who disclosed that the state is challenged with caring for over 100,000 IDPs and about 80,000 refugees from Cameroun said “as I talk to you, our land is still under siege. The IGP who was deployed to arrest the perpetrators have failed in his duties.
He is rather working for Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. So I suggest he resigns and take up full job with them to enable the president appoint a more capable hand.
While he continue to plead with the people to be law abiding , Ortom said it is foolhardy to watch an enemy hack you to death. He therefore called on Benue people to use lawful means to defend themselves just as he called on all well meaning Nigerians to join Benue in the fight against the menace.
