From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume has condoled the people of Yelwata and the entire Nyiev Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State over the June 13 killings in Yelwata.
Senator Akume also called on them to remain calm and steadfast as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making concerted efforts to put a permanent end to the killings in Guma and all other parts of the state.
The SGF made the call while interacting with the people during an on-the-spot visit to Yelewata to witness first hand the extent of the carnage that led to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
Senator Akume assured the people that President Tinubu shares in their sorrow and pain, and would stop at nothing to ensure that they were protected from further attacks.
He regretted his inability to visit the scene of the incident earlier, and stated that arrangements were being made by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to provide relief materials to the people to cushion the effects of the attack in the short term.
The SGF urged them not to take laws into their own hands, as the security agencies are taking steps to enhance surveillance and prevent recurrence of such senseless killings.
The Member representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir who also hails from Guma, and the Senator representing Benue North-West, Senator Titus Zam condoled the families that lost loved ones, and told the people that the SGF who facilitated the deployment of security operatives to the area would continue to stand by them at all times.
Hon. Tarkighir and Senator Zam expressed sadness over the incident, and asked the people to trust President Tinubu’s promise to end the killings.
A political leader in Nyiev Council Ward, Hon. Mattew Mnyam said they were happy with the visit of the SGF as it inspired some hope in them, and prayed that such a heinous act does not repeat itself in the area.
The District Head of Nyiev, Zaki Bernard Shawa informed the SGF that they had lost over 100 people in the few days before the incident on the 13th of June.
Zaki Shawa appealed to Senator Akume to facilitate the establishment of a mobile police force unit in Yelwata, and requested for donation of relief materials for the victims.
In another vein, the SGF, flagged off the distribution of Relief Materials to IDPs at the International Markets located on George Akume Way, Makurdi
The materials which were brought in by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA include, bags of rice, salt, cartons of indomie and mattresses.
The SGF thanked President Bola Tinubu for promptly responding to the distress call of the people, noting that he is a lover of humanity.
He said, “Continue to pray for him. Let us believe strongly that his coming will see to the end of this killings. Everyone should commit to the stability of the country and am happy that the Governor has agreed to meet with stakeholders to stop this killings. All of us believe in sanctity of life. At the end of the tunnel, there will be light.
“These killings are totally unjustified. More troops have been deployed. I appreciate NEMA for responding promptly. Food stuffs should be arriving shortly.we appreciate our development partner for the show of concern.
The SGF raised 26 million for the IDPs at the event.
