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The Center for Ridefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa (Race Africa) expressed regret for the continuous massacre of Benue’s state indigenous people, condemning in particular the attack in the village of Yelewata, the area of the local government of Guma dello Stato, which according to what has been reported caused the life of over 200 innocent citizens.
Evelyn Ugbe, executive director of Race Africa, has labeled the accident as an “unimaginable horror” and a marked reminder of the growing housing of Nigeria in a press declaration signed in Abuja.
The organization highlighted the brutal nature of the assault, stating that on that fateful day, the village of Yelewata became an unimaginable horror scene, underlining the growing insecurity that afflicts the nation.
“This wave of senseless violence, rooted in the current conflicts between farmers and shepherds, represents a serious violation of human rights and a deep stain on our national consciousness,” observed the note.
The Africa race underlined the legal and constitutional implications of the murders. “These attacks represent a clear violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and the international conventions for human rights,” said the group.
“The murders contravene to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms the right to life, security and protection from violence. Furthermore, the ongoing violence in Benue’s state undermines the fundamental rights guaranteed to all citizens as sanctioned in chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999, which protects the right to life and personal dignity”.
The group has extended its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families in mourning and support constant solidarity with the people of Benue”, reads the declaration, adding that it is “essential that the government acts definitely to guarantee the safety of all citizens and to make the authors justice”.
Alarming details emerged from the consequences of the attack, with the Africa breed that detected the serious lack of information and the care of the victims. “Reports indicate that many people are missing and countless others are injured, deprived of access to urgent medical care,” underlined the organization. “Disturbing, some families have been blocked in their homes and burned live. The absence of a clear budget of the victims is absolutely unacceptable.” While recognizing the efforts, the group found the current response insufficient. “The delegation of the governor Hyacinth alia in support of the families of the victims, although commendable, shorts in the face of this brutality.”
The Africa race has also raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the security forces in the region. “It is alarming that, despite the transfer of the head of the army staff (Coas) to Benue’s state, the murders continue relentlessly under his watch,” concluded the declaration. “This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of military leadership in the protection of our most vulnerable communities”.
In light of the tragedy, Race Africa has issued a series of requests for immediate and concrete actions by the government, facing in particular the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
The organization requested a series of actions and also requested responsibility to put an end to violence, also underlining the need for complete support:
“Distribute further security forces: protect vulnerable communities and prevent further bloodshed. The time for action is now!”
“Start immediate investigations: conduct transparent investigations on these atrocities. The managers must be quickly identified and brought to justice”, reads the declaration.
“Develop complete programs: respond to the urgent needs of women and children affected by this violence, promoting dialogue and reconciliation between the communities in conflict.”
“Provide urgent support: make sure that families devastated by this violence receive resources and compensation necessary for their recovery,” he added.
The Africa breed urged the presidential intervention and reiterated the urgency of the situation.
“The time for a decisive action is now. We implode the government to respond with the urgency that this crisis requires.”
We ask President Tinubu to give priority to the security of Benue’s state and to affect the restoration of peace and security in the region. “
