Governments of Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau States have pledged to work together through their respective emergency management agencies to end insecurity, especially the persistent herdsmen attacks and killings ravaging the region.
The commitment was made during a joint press conference held in Makurdi.
Director-General of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, Ben Akwash, said he and his Plateau State counterpart, were in Benue to commiserate with the people over the Yelewata massacre, which claimed over 200 lives.
“Besides Nasarawa being an immediate neighbour to Benue, both states were under Plateau,” Akwash said.
“We are in the state not only to commiserate with government and the people, but to rub minds on how best to forestall future attacks.”
He prayed for divine protection over the displaced and urged both Nasarawa and Benue State governments to beef up security around Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Also addressing the press, Executive Secretary of Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Sunday Abdul, condemned the killings in Yelewata, describing them as a shared tragedy affecting the entire North Central.
“The Yelewata killings is an evil that befell North Central states,” he said.
“What happened in Yelewata is happening in Southern Kaduna, Taraba and parts of Nasarawa, acts which are wicked,” he added.
Abdul encouraged the people of Benue to remain hopeful.
“Have faith, God will continue to be on your side,” he said, while calling on Nigerians and people of goodwill across the world to “pray for the North Central for peace to reign in the zone.”
In his welcome remarks, Dr. James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), lamented the state’s prolonged suffering since 2011.
“The state had been under siege since 2011,” he said, adding that “attacks and killings are increasing on a daily basis.”
He described the Yelewata massacre as “wicked” and revealed that about 107 victims are still receiving treatment. Iorpuu expressed deep appreciation to his colleagues from Nasarawa and Plateau for their visit and solidarity.
