Outraged by the latest killing of over 200 individuals in Yelewata, Guma native authorities space of Benue State, leaders of Benue Communities within the diaspora have accused the Federal Authorities of inaction in what they described as a “silent genocide” towards indigenous populations within the State.
In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, signed by Professor Akaa D. Ayangeakaa representing the Tiv neighborhood and Chief Edwin Ochai for the Idoma neighborhood, they catalogued a sequence of coordinated assaults throughout Benue State spanning Ukum, Otukpo, Apa, Agatu, and different native authorities areas, and condemned the latest labelling of the violence by presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, as mere “reprisal assaults” in a “farmer-herder battle.”
“We condemn the assertion in its entirety,” the letter stated. “This isn’t about farmers and herders exchanging grievances… To name it something lower than genocide ignores the struggling of hundreds and emboldens the perpetrators.”
The diaspora leaders insisted that the dimensions and nature of the assaults mirrored deliberate and organised campaigns of ethnic cleaning and land occupation, not communal clashes. They accused safety companies of both failing to behave or standing by as Benue communities have been decimated.
“On June 14, one other bloodbath occurred in Yelewata… These weren’t deaths ensuing from battle or stray bullets. These have been executions. Entire households have been murdered. Properties turned to ashes,” the letter learn.
Additionally they recalled a lethal assault in Might in Gbagir, Ukum LGA, which claimed over 70 lives, noting that the violence was not remoted to some communities however half of a bigger, sustained onslaught throughout the state.
“From the rivers of Agatu to the farmlands of Tarka and Buruku, Benue has turn out to be a website of misplaced desires and damaged hopes. But, we see no significant federal responses. No visits from the Presidency. No arrests. No justice.”
The letter additional expressed deep disappointment over Tinubu’s reported directive to the Benue State Authorities to carry “reconciliation conferences” amongst “opponents.” The diaspora leaders rejected the premise, saying, “We should make clear: the individuals of Benue should not at warfare with the Fulani or every other group. This isn’t battle. That is terrorism. That is ethnic cleaning!”
Additionally they questioned the absence of arrests or prosecutions of the perpetrators and warned that any reconciliation with out justice would solely normalize impunity and deepen nationwide insecurity.
“It’s disingenuous to name for reconciliation when not a single herder has been arrested or prosecuted for the atrocities dedicated. Justice should precede reconciliation; in any other case, peace turns into a hole phrase.”
The letter, which painted a grim image of Benue’s humanitarian disaster, highlighted that over 2 million individuals have been displaced and are actually crammed into IDP camps throughout the state, with little or no entry to meals, training, or healthcare.
“These households as soon as farmed, went to highschool, and lived in peace. Now, they reside in overcrowded IDP camps, surviving solely on hope.”
The letter made six key calls for, together with:; a public condemnation of the massacres by the President., deployment of safety forces to high-risk areas throughout the state and an impartial investigation into alleged navy inaction or complicity.
Different calls for are, a complete resettlement and rehabilitation plan for displaced individuals, a restoration of ancestral lands at the moment underneath unlawful occupation. And a dialogue between the Federal Authorities and Benue stakeholders, not with so-called “opponents.”
The letter additionally addressed Tinubu’s upcoming go to to Benue, acknowledging the cancellation of a scheduled Kaduna journey, however lamented the extended silence and inaction following the assaults.
“If these massacres had occurred in Sokoto, Kano, or Maiduguri, there would have been instant navy responses, high-level visits, and pressing federal actions… Are Benue lives nugatory?”
In a strong closing, the diaspora leaders urged President Tinubu to rise to the problem of management, “This second will check your administration’s conscience. The Nigerian individuals, and posterity, are watching. Let this not be remembered because the time when a Nigerian President regarded away. Let or not it’s the second when justice, compassion, and decisive management emerged.”
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