As reactions continue to trail the killing of a soldier in Naka, Gwer LGA of Benue State, a rights group, Coalition of Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Nigeria, has pointed out that the incident poses grave danger to the security of residents of the state.
DAILY POST reports that no fewer than 20 houses were razed during the week after military men on reprisals attacked Naka community over the killing of their colleague by youths in the area.
The state government had through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Titus Zam, said the unfortunate incident was highly regrettable and condemnable.
Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, the rights group said the alleged murder of the soldier was a set back for global peace mission project
Marxwell Gowon esq, Executive Director of Coalition of Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Nigeria, in a statement issued and forwarded to DAILY POST, said the incident had revealed the grave danger such actions posed to the sustenance of peace and stability in the country. Hide quoted text
According to Gowon, “On Thursday April 19, 2018 youths in Naka killed a soldier, buried him in the bush and went away with his gun, leading to troops having to take steps to track down the killers.
“The Federal Government should sanction communities that embark on such barbaric acts against peace-keepers from any security organization, aide and humanitarian workers as this is not only condemnable but against international peace-keeping laws and conventions on armed conflicts.
“We call on the Nigerian Army not to be discouraged by the ingratitude of this community. The death of its personnel should not be allowed to distract it from the mission to restore peace in Benue State and other parts of the country.
“While the Coalition on Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Nigeria continues to monitor the situation in Benue state and other areas across the country, we shall make a full report available on what transpired in that state after full investigation. It is therefore our stand that stakeholders take proactive steps to assure troops and peace agents across the world that it will not repeat itself again.”
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