The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to take swift and deliberate action to put an end to the attacks and deaths in Benue State.
The Association voiced worry about the lack of a solution to the continued violence in the state and elsewhere in the country, urging the government to uphold its obligation to protect citizens’ lives and property.
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, made the statement on Tuesday in Makurdi while leading a group of Christian leaders on a condolence visit to the government and people of Benue State following the recent armed herdsmen killings.
Represented by the Vice President, Rev. Stephen Baba, the group conveyed their condolences with the state administration and civilians affected by the continuing violence.
Rev. Baba said, “We are deeply concerned that no solution has been found to end the killings in Benue State. We are calling on President Bola Tinubu to take deliberate action to stop the killings.”
He went on to say that the killings in Benue and other states test the government’s capabilities and determination to put an end to the carnage.
In addition to the condolence visit, the delegation distributed humanitarian goods to individuals displaced by the violence in an effort to ease their suffering.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Dr Sam Ode, thanked the Christian leaders for their support, emphasising that the government and people of Benue State truly appreciated it.
The governor bemoaned the state’s struggle with “asymmetric warfare”, where attackers strike and flee without a trace, but vowed that the state would not bow to the criminals.
Alia also revealed that Tinubu had dispatched the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Chief of Naval Staff to the state within a two-week period to address the security challenges.
He urged Christian leaders to continue praying for the state as the administration tries to deliver effective and meaningful leadership.
