By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau State Governments have pledged to collaborate through their various state Emergency Agencies to end herdsmen attacks and killings in their various states to enjoy peace as well as return to their ancestral homes.
Making the pledges separately during a joint press conference held at the NUJ House Tuesday in Makurdi, Director General, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, Barr. Ben Akwash said himself and his Plateau State counterparts were in Benue to commiserate with Benue people over Yelewata massacre which claimed over 200 lives.
He said, besides Nasarawa being an immediate neighbour to Benue, before Benue was created as a state, both Nasarawa and Benue were under Plateau, stating that they were in the state not only to commiserate with government and people of the state but to as well rob minds on how best to forestall future attacks, praying God to secure those displaced and urged Nasarawa and Benue states governments to provide security to those displaced staying in IDP camps.
Also speaking Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdul, described the Yelewata killings as an evil which has come over the North Central states.
He said the people of Plateau have shared in the same pain Benue people are going through, adding that what has happened in Yelewata is happening in Southern Kaduna, Taraba and part of Nasarawa State and expressed disgust especially that it was an act of wickedness from man.
Abdul who encouraged the people of Benue to have faith as God will continue to be on their side, urged Nigerians and people of goodwill across the world to pray for the North Central states for God to intervene and for peace to reign in the region.
In a welcome remark, the host and Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, Dr. James Iorpuu, revealed that the state has been under siege since 2011, lamenting that attacks and killings are instead increasing on daily basis.
Iorpuu who described the Yelewata massacre which claimed over 200 lives as wicked, said about 107 victims who sustained injuries are receiving treatment.
He expressed appreciation to his colleagues for the visit, praying God to intervene for such a dastardly act not to repeat itself.