Mark urges prosecution of Benue massacre perpetrators 

From Tony John, Port Harcourt and Fred Ituah, Abuja

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom yesterday replied his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, following the latter’s call for a state of emergency in his state over recent killings in Zaki Biam.

On Wednesday, Wike alleged that Ortom was among those who politicised insecurity in the country, which he said has now degenerated to consume Benue state.

Wike said Ortom has “lost control of Benue State and lacked the capacity to stand up for his people”, hence, his call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the State.

He said this, yesterday, during a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, by the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt.

“Benue state governor has lost control. That is why there is an immediate need to declare a state of emergency, for the restoration of security and protection of the people.

“If you’re from Benue, I apologise. But, when Rivers had security challenges, Ortom was among All Progressives Congress (APC) governors who plotted for the declaration of state of emergency in the state.

“When the problem of insecurity started here in Rivers, instead of joining hands to proffer solutions, they politicised it. Unless all those at the forefront of the plot against the state repent, this insecurity will visit them one after the other,” Wike said.

He said as a result of the politicisation of security by APC governors, “today, insecurity has been exported to several parts of the country.”

But, Ortom has responded, asking Wike to seek a state of emergency in Rivers, first, before talking about Benue.

Ortom said this in an interview with newsmen, yesterday, against the backdrop of Wike’s comments on Wednesday.

He said: “If Wike wants state of emergency, he should first ask for it in Rivers. Leaders should be careful what they say.

“I’m not his rival. His statements are unfortunate, but, I will not join issues with him. I leave Wike to his conscience.”

Ortom posited that he never had any issues with Wike and recalled that the first time Wike took a swipe at him was when he was nominated by his party, the APC, to go for campaign in Rivers.

Governor Ortom, who enjoined his Rivers counterpart not to rejoice at his present predicament, however, prayed for Wike.

“I pray God will help Wike succeed as a leader. I leave him to his conscience.”

On the  spate of killings and criminality in the state and alleged involvement of Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Ghana, Ortom told newsmen his administration will go after him, and added that Akwaza has already been declared wanted with a N5 million reward for anyone who offers information that can lead to his arrest.

“I have the support of all security agencies and we will get him.

“I am in touch with Mr. President, who has directed that I should be supported. Soldiers have already been deployed to the state.”

Meanwhile, immediate-past Senate President, David Mark has tasked security operatives to spread their dragnets in order to apprehend perpetrators of the attacks on Benue communities that have left hundreds of people killed and properties razed.

Mark represents Benus South senatorial district in the Senate.

Several communities in Benue, including Zaki Biam, Guma, Buruku and Agatu, among others, have come under heavy attacks, in recent times, by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Mark, in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, condemned, in strong terms, the unabated invasion that have led to the killing of hundreds of indigenes and millions of properties destroyed.

He said the situation has become intolerable and lamented that “harmless and innocent people across Benue are being killed in their numbers, routinely, by armed men.

“Our people can no longer go freely to their farms and markets to pursue their legitimate businesses.

Even those who resort to staying at home for fear of being attacked are not free.

“I am yet to be told what the offence of the Benue man or woman, living in his or her own land, actually is.

“Killing of our people have continued, yet, nobody has been arrested or apprehended for this heinous crime.”

Mark urged security operatives to do all that can be done to halt the massacre, and pointed out that one way to achieve the goal “is for all the security formations  to  collaborate and work as a team.”

The former Senate President, however, cautioned the people against reprisal “as that will aggravate the situation rather than ameliorate it,” even  as he hoped that security already beefed up in the affected areas can contain the situation.

He called for calm amongst the people and urged security operatives to strive to bring the situation under control.