The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the recent horrific murder of about 200 residents of Benue State by some unknown assailants calling on the Federal Government to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to book.
In a statement signed by its president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association lamented the horrific wave of violence that recently swept through Benue State, resulting in the tragic loss of lives in a series of coordinated attacks.
It called on the Federal Government to act with urgency and resolve. ‘We demand the immediate deployment of reinforced security personnel to protect vulnerable communities and, if necessary, the declaration of a state of emergency in the most affected areas.’ the statement noted.
The Christian body noted that these senseless killings have inflicted immeasurable pain on families, devastated communities, and further entrenched the insecurity threatening our nation.
It commiserated with the bereaved and prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed souls noting that ‘For too long, the people of Benue have been subjected to recurrent assaults, often blamed on armed groups, without meaningful intervention or justice. :
According to CAN the persistent failure to safeguard citizens and bring perpetrators to account has emboldened attackers and prolonged the cycle of violence.
‘We further insist on a thorough, transparent investigation and the swift prosecution of all those responsible. Justice must prevail to break the grip of impunity fueling these atrocities. We also appeal to the international community to support efforts aimed at restoring peace and rebuilding trust in Benue State.’ the statement reads in part
CAN further expressed its commitment to defending the sanctity of life and advocating for the protection and dignity of all Nigerians.
The recent killings in Benue State has sparked off violent protest with some youths and women taking to the street. A social media influencer known as Very Dark Man led youths to protest the killings..
He visited the site of the carnage in Guma Local Government area of the state showing videos of the gory remains of burnt people. Many netizens have condemned the murder of the innocent people calling on the government to act swiftly.
