The former governor of Benue State, His Excellency Dr. Gabriel Torwua Suswam, has in very strong terms condemned the unwarranted attacks on the peaceful people of Ayilamo town in Tombo Council Ward, Gaambe-Tiev, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected killer herdsmen.
Senator Suswam, who is on a short Executive Human Capacity Development (EHCD) Course overseas, is deeply worried that the incessant unprovoked attacks by pastoral herdsmen have been going on for too long. He wonders why, in spite of the vast uninhabitable grasslands and forests in the ancestral homes of the herdsmen, they have chosen to migrate to other states including Benue where they have embarked on kidnappings, arson, destruction of farms and unprovoked killings. These dastardly acts, he noted, have completely eroded the goodwill and happiness of indigenous tribes in the states that have been invaded by the killer herdsmen.
In this particular unprovoked attack on the peace-loving people of Ayilamo, Tombo ward, twelve people were gruesomely murdered while many are still missing. Also, four mobile police men and eight civilians sustained life-threatening injuries. Several houses, cars and properties of priceless value were burnt down in a merciless manner.
Senator Suswam noted that if these killings continue unabated, the existing social cohesion, unity and peace that exist among indigenous tribes and pastoral herdsmen will completely break down. This ugly situation is undesirable as it may result in a nasty and brutish society where the rule of law will no longer prevail.
While commending the law enforcement agencies for their patriotism, resilience and gallantry, Senator Suswam called on the government to recruit more young men and women into the security agencies so that the existing personnel will not be overwhelmed.
The Vande U Tiv has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the acting Mue Ter Ipusu in Logo LGA, His Highness Zaki Samuel T. Torkper, the people of Tombo and Gaambe-Tiev in general. He prayed to God to bring a lasting solution to this evil that appears to be well planned with the motive of exterminating minority ethnic groups in the Benue valley.
