- A group has condemned the activities of some livestock guards in Benue state
- The group warned that arming the guards could have led to the increased crisis in the state
- The group also called for a full investigation on the activities of the guards by the federal government
A human rights group has called for the truth behind the arrest of some livestock guards by soldiers of the Nigerian army in Benue state.
The group, Foundation for Truth and Justice also condemned the Benue state government for arming the guards to protect the anti-grazing bill in the state.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, January 11, the coordinator of the group, Martins Nwaiwu, said arming the guards could have led to the carnage in the state.
Nwaiwu said that the attacks and killing in Benue state could have been prevented by the governor who is the chief security officer in the state.
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He said: "After taking time to understand the underlying factors in this avoidable crisis, the Foundation for Truth and Justice is aghast at what it has found out.
"It is on the strength of this discovery that we have invited you to this world press conference. Nigerians need to know all the truth about the role of the Benue state governor in the Herdsmen/ Farmers’ crisis in the state.
What we found out has been corroborated by the confessions of the members of the (Benue State) Civilian JTF on national television, that the military arrested several persons operating as Civilian JTF in Benue state.
They answer to Governor Samuel Ortom and some of his senior officials Members of the Civilian JTF received weapons from the state governor," Nwaiwu said.
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Nwaiwu further called for a full disclosure of the role of the Civilian Joint Task Force (known as livestock guards) in the state.
He also demanded that the federal government orders a full investigation into the activities of Benue state sponsored livestock guards.
"Furthermore, in the face of this mutual suspicion and considering the sanctity of lives of the citizens of the state, we are calling for deployment of the military to the affected communities to maintain law and order.
We also demand that a state of emergency be immediately declared in Benue state and any other states where crisis between herders and farmers may break out in the nearest future so as to forestall any further deterioration of the crisis anywhere in the country.
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The state of emergency will also serve as a warning to governors and other political actors who think they can make a mockery of the security situation in the county by unnecessarily engaging in political jamborees for selfish reasons.
These are steps that must be taken urgently," Nwaiwu said.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that some armed men were arrested by soldiers in Benue state.
The men, a military source said were arrested in a town known as Arufu, between Benue and Taraba state.
The men who are members of the Benue state livestock guard were arrested while in possession of AK-47.
They also said they were operating under the Civilian Joint Task Force in Benue state.
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Source: Naija.ng
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