A social media post by AL Utsaha has highlighted concerns over how the killing of Miyetti Allah Chairman Ardo Risku and his associate is being reported and its potential implications for peace in Benue State.
The writer criticised what he described as the generalisation of the incident as occurring in “Benue” rather than specifying the exact location, warning that such framing has historically been used to justify attacks on Tiv communities and areas like Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West, Agatu, and Ohimini, particularly during farming or harvesting seasons.
Drawing from past experiences, including the Yelewata Massacre, the post emphasised the need to identify, arrest, and prosecute culprits through the courts without allowing anyone to take the law into their own hands. It stressed that recent gains in peace, which enabled many farming communities to return to their lands and rebuild, must be protected to prevent fresh displacement and swelling of IDP camps.
The author called on all tiers of government to prioritise the security and welfare of the people as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, urging proactive measures to avoid future tragedies and condolence messages.
The statement reflects broader anxieties in the state as security agencies continue investigations into the killings, with 10 suspects already arrested. Many residents are hoping for swift justice to maintain the fragile peace currently enjoyed in parts of Benue.
