Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has called for the arrest of the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore for allegedly threatening to attack Benue State and acting on the threat.
Gowon made the call on Saturday during a condolence visit to the state over incessant killings in recent times.
The elder statesman, who was received at the Benue People ’s House, Makurdi by the Deputy Governor, Mr Benson Abounu, lamented incessant killings in Benue.
He condemned relentless attacks on villagers by armed men that are hardly ever apprehended.
Gowon said the continued attacks on local communities was a sign of failure of government in its primary responsibility of protecting the citizens of the country.
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Furthermore, the octogenarian decried the religious dimension that the crisis has taken and noted that it could degenerate into full-blown religious war if not immediately addressed.
Gowon said, “Security agencies should invite and question the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who had threatened to unleash violence on Benue State and later justified the killings and their roles.”
Lamenting the killing of two priests and 17 parishioners in Gwer East LGA of the state earlier in the year, Gowon said, “I am sad and worried at the religious dimension the killings are assuming.
“It is worrisome to see innocent people being killed. Government should make more efforts to tackle the insecurity situation in the country before it descends into a full religious war .”
Meanwhile, Gowon commended the Benue State government for the way it has so far handled the issues of killings and devastation of communities.
“For us to survive as a nation; we must learn to live together as one regardless of ethnicity or religion,” he added.
Abuonu, who received Gowon on behalf of the Governor, Samuel Ortom, expressed the state’s gratitude for the visit, and declared the state government’s resolve to do all within its power to protect the people.
He also thanked the former Head of State for lending his voice to the call on the Federal Government to do more to end the killings and apprehend the perpetrators.
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