The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has strongly condemned the recent massacre in Benue State, calling on both the Federal and Benue State Governments to act swiftly to end the relentless bloodshed.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, and made available to journalists in Enugu, Ohanaeze expressed deep concern over the attack on Yelwata Community, which reportedly left over 100 people dead and several homes burnt.
“Ohanaeze unreservedly condemns the horrifying massacre of over 100 people and burning of houses by gunmen, who reportedly invaded Yelwata Community in the early hours of Saturday,” the statement read.
Describing the incident as “callous, inhuman and unacceptable,” Chukwu lamented the massive displacement caused by the attack, stressing that the sanctity of human life must be respected regardless of religious, ethnic, or social background.
“Human life remains sacrosanct, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or social status. This idea of ruthless mass bloodletting at any slightest provocation is ungodly and antithetical to national conviviality in a multi-ethnic country as ours,” he said.
The group also expressed disappointment over what it described as the persistent failure of government and security agencies to contain the escalating violence in Benue and other parts of the country.
The statement warned that continued inaction could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s unity and development.
“We, therefore, call on government and stakeholders at different levels to put in place adequate measures that would address this theatre of carnage, by finding a lasting solution to the vicious circle of violence between herders and farmers,” Chukwu stated.
He further advised the Benue State Government and other stakeholders to, as a matter of urgency, collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to convene a national dialogue aimed at ending the recurring destruction of lives and property in the state.
