The southern and middle belt leader’s forum has warned the presidency against declaring state of emergency in Benue State.
The Forum also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for killings in the state and other parts of the country.
The leaders revealed this to newsmen after a meeting of southern and middle belt leaders in Abuja.
They said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has not lived up to the expectations of his office by keeping mute on the killings, visiting neighbouring Nasarawa and Adamawa states, while ignoring Benue.”
“Soldiers drafted to Benue state under Operation Cat Dance, were allegedly circulating leaflets, calling Tiv cattle rustlers, which clearly suggests that the operation is ostensibly meant to turn victims into villains and decimate their capacity for self-defence.”
“President Buhari to stop the killings in Benue and other parts of the country by disarming herdsmen and fishing out culprits for prosecution.”
“Any plot to declare a state of emergency in Benue State, as being canvassed by some sponsored group, as such a move in the Western Region had dire consequences in the past.”
The meeting had in attendance Chief Clark, who led the south-south delegation; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, at the head of southwest delegation; Chief John Nwodo, southeast, and Bala Takaya.
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