The presidency has listed steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to address the security situation in Benue State, saying the president’s performance in the state speaks for itself.
Two weeks ago, not less than 30 persons including a pregnant woman were reported dead after gunmen attacked an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Guma LGA of the state.
The killing came a few days after an unconfirmed number of persons were killed in an attack by gunmen in Umogidi village of Entekpa-Adoka district, Otukpo LGA.
In March, it was reported that no fewer than 50 persons were allegedly killed by suspected herders who invaded communities in Kwande LGA of the state.
Garba Shehu, the media aide to the president, in a statement on Wednesday, said it is wrong to blame the security situation in Benue State on Mr Buhari, stating that the president had taken personal steps to address the problem.
Shehu was reacting to separate editorials by the Daily Trust and ThisDay newspapers on the recent upsurge of killings in the state.
The security situation in Benue State, North-central Nigerian, deteriorated in the recent past with the killings of several persons by armed persons in several parts of the state.
Over 100 people were killed by armed men in separate attacks earlier this month in the state.
The two newspapers blamed the federal government for the deteriorating security situation in the state.
“And that, we must note, is a gross failing of President Buhari himself. It is true that Ortom has not made it easy for the federal government to help in Benue, but that should not matter because the President is not just Protector-in-Chief of all Nigerians wherever they live, according to our constitution, he is also the father of all, according to our traditions. Both roles are no trifling matter, and it should be possible for the President to use the resources available to his office to find a way to work with, or around, the local government and communities to intervene and bring about enduring peace in Benue.
“President Buhari has not much left in office, but he could still do so much to avert a civil war of sorts in Benue,” the Daily Trust editorial titled “Benue is burning: Where is the President?” partly read.
