Isaac Samuel
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has raised alarm over what he described as the direct complicity of top Nigerian politicians in fueling insecurity in the country, particularly through sponsorship and support of criminal elements.
The governor accused some senior political figures many of whom are active at the National Assembly and reside in Abuja of being behind the persistent wave of violence and banditry in parts of the country.
He described the actions of these unnamed politicians as extremely unacceptable, accusing them of placing political ambition above the sanctity of human life.
The governor’s remarks come amid heightened security concerns in the North-Central region, where communities have continued to suffer deadly attacks from armed groups operating in rural areas.
Recall that suspected armed herders on Sunday invaded two communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State killing no fewer than 43 people.
The attack came barely a week after some communities in Gwer West LGA were attacked.
A mobile police officer and 41 people were killed.
In the Sunday attacks, the suspected armed herders stormed Tse Antswam, a suburb of Naka town around 7pm and shot indiscriminately leading to loss of lives.
Speaking on a live television programme, Alia said: “It is very unsettling because top politicians who are very functional and are at the National Assembly and are in Abuja are the architects and arrowheads of just not instigating but harbouring and keeping these people and feeding them in the bush, taking care of their bills and buying all the other gadgets for them.
“This is extremely unacceptable. They do not love the lives of their people and always fighting for their political positions, I think I am serving the interests of the common masses, it is a concern to me and it is my right to protect them.”
