Benue Bleeds Amidst Government Inertia

 By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” – Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

After the villainous and senseless Agatu killings in February, 2016 accompanied by the usual condemnations, it was hoped that affliction of Benue people will not rise the second time. Contrary to the assumption, the evil struck again defiantly.

The recent attack launched on Yelewata, Nyiev Council Ward of Guma local government area by marauding terrorists was a deadly unprovocative onslaught against a sleepy, defenceless community taken too far. According to reports, it was a strategic attack launched on three flanks with a standby fourth reinforcement. Death toll currently stands at over 200 persons, including children while many are still missing.

The Benue Genocide

 By Nick Dazang  

Before now, and for reasons best known to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had preferred either to delegate or outsource his hallowed duties as the country’s Commander-in-Chief and Mourner-in-Chief to his minions. His minions, thus invested with presidential power, instead of showing compassion and fellow-feeling to their compatriots, carry on with haughtiness and uncommon superciliousness. Either they talk down at their bereaved hosts, who are reeling under the irreparable losses occasioned by the dastardly attacks visited on them or they snub critical stakeholders outright.

This arrogant pattern of behaviour has continued, ad nauseam, until last week’s engagement by President Tinubu with stakeholders in Makurdi, following the genocidal killings that took place at Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.