Call for emergency rule in Benue, others mischievous, say groups

MOSOP condemns alleged incursion into Rivers community
Three socio-cultural groups in Benue have dismissed the call for a state of emergency in the state, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba and Zamfara by the Mallam Abdul Azeez Suleiman-led Coalition of Northern Groups, saying the move was mischievous.

Consisting of Mdzough U Tiv, Omny’Igede and Idoma National Forum, the coalition, during a chat with newsmen in Makurdi yesterday, labelled the callers as unlawful

The leader and President General of Uzough U Tiv, Chief Edward Ujege, described the northern group as “tribal and only meant to cause more confusion so that Benue people will not get justice.”

He vowed that Benue would oppose emergency rule through every constitutional means.

Regretting that the Presidency, Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Defence had allegedly failed in securing the people, the group called for state police as obtained in United States.

According to Ujege, “If Federal government had enforced the law, these killings would not have happened. What is happening is an annihilation of the Benue people. So, there is need for State police.”

Besides, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has tasked the police force to check the activities of herdsmen following the alleged attack on Okpaku community in Eleme, Rivers State

Its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, who said the steering committee met to deliberate on some crucial issues affecting the people, charged security operatives in the state to be proactive.
The group therefore called on the Commissioner of Police to regulate the activities of herders and swiftly provide security for the locals.