By Kolawole Ojebisi
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has rejected calls by prominent natives of the state for self-defence as a means of tackling the incessant killings ravaging communities under his watch.
Alia maintained that the establishment of robust community policing system, rather than self-defence, is a more viable solution to stemming the wave of brutal attacks in the state, instead urging communities to support the establishment of a more robust community policing system.
The governor said this on Tuesday while featuring on AIT News.
“I should carry, and I think that would make some very good common sense,” he said, referring to the idea of arming oneself. “But where you have people who just decide to work up because of sentiments and emotions that are attached to what is happening with us and within us, I think we’re rendering ourselves a bit more vulnerable. So, I wouldn’t advocate for self-defense.”Alia said.
He added, “I would encourage us all to keep calling for community policing because it’s the only way. It’s only people from within the state and the local government who would understand what is going on with them”.
The governor’s remarks came on the heels of the widely reported massacre of more than 100 people in a two-day rampage by suspected armed herders.
The attacks affected Guma Local Government Area and several surrounding communities, prompting national outrage and calls for a state of emergency.
The latest coordinated attacks on Benue communities have sparked outrage from prominent Nigerians with many urging residents of the state to resort to self-defence.
Prominent among those advocating self-defence are former Senate President, David Mark.
But reacting to this call, Alia said external security agents might not know the lay of the land, stressing that this could affect effective combat of those behind the killings.
