The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the Federal Government to deploy all security apparatus to prevent further violence and killings in Benue State, warning of the potential for a devastating holocaust.
Expressing concern over the resurgence of violence in Yelwata community, which claimed multiple lives and left many injured, including women, children, and the elderly, the ACF described the situation as deeply troubling.
In a statement released yesterday by its spokesman, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the Forum said: “ACF condoles the members of the Yelwata community, the government and people of Benue State, and indeed Nigeria as a whole. We pray for the repose of the souls of the dead, commiserate with the injured, and wish them quick recovery.”
Muhammad-Baba strongly condemned the escalating violence, describing it as senseless and a significant threat to Nigeria’s unity. “The gruesome incident at Yelwata is only the latest in a cascading series of catastrophic violence between farmers and herders, which dishearteningly seems to defy solutions, including decisive action by the Federal Government-controlled security agencies,” he said.
The Forum acknowledged the efforts of security agencies but highlighted the need for a revised strategy. Muhammad-Baba remarked: “The Yelwata tragedy occurring within days of the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) relocation to Benue State clearly illustrates that the prevailing curtailment strategy must be reviewed. Proactive measures, including vigilance and improved intelligence gathering, must become crucial ingredients in combating this recurring cycle of senseless violence.”
The ACF also urged citizens of Benue and other violence-prone states to reject hate narratives and replace them with empathy, understanding, and reconciliation. It called for the immediate provision of relief materials to affected communities by the Federal and Benue State governments.
Commending Governor Hyacinth Alia for his inclusive peace-building efforts, the Forum described his approach as a promising step toward finding lasting peace in the state. However, it stressed that impunity must be addressed, and those found culpable must face justice.
The ACF further appealed to community and religious leaders to foster dialogue, denounce violence, and promote tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation in affected communities.
The Forum concluded by emphasising the urgent need for the Federal Government to intensify its efforts to prevent further loss of life and restore peace in Benue and other volatile regions.
