From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has vowed to make perpetrators of the Benue massacre pay for their crimes, describing the latest killings in the state as an attack on the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.
Egbetokun made this vow when he visited Governor Hyacinth Alia in Government House Makurdi on Monday to sympathize with the state on the Saturday killings that took over 200 lives.
The IGP said he was in the state to commiserate with him on the sad incident of the tragic attack on Yelwata community in the state and also to assure him of not only their commitment to pursue the criminal elements and bring them to justice but to also assure him that they are committed to bring lasting peace to Benue state.
“On behalf of the Nigerian Police Force, I extend our deepest condolences to your Excellency, your government and the people of Benue State and the bereaved families and all citizens that have been affected by these attacks.
“I’m sure you have spoken to Mr President and have known how saddened he was on hearing the news of the fresh attacks on another vulnerable community in Benue state and his commitment to ensure that this reign of impunity by criminal gangs and terror elements end in our country.
“These mindless acts of terror are not just attacks on Benue people but they are attacks on the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. An attack on any community of Nigeria is an attack on the entire nation.
“I want to assure you that the Nigerian Police Force will stand with you and the entire people of Benue state on this. We are going to work closely with you and in close synergy with other security agencies to ensure that lasting peace returns to Benue state.
“We are aware of the vast terrain of Benue state and the security challenges it presents. We might not be able to cover every inch of the place but we are going to deploy adequately to ensure the protection of lives and property in Benue.”
The IGP who noted that the criminal elements and bandits might have operated with impunity in the past assured that “a day is fast approaching when they would come to attack but would never return. That day is fast approaching and I can assure you that we will continue to protect lives and property in the state.”
He pledged to support the state with every resource and to synergize with other security agencies “to make sure that we defeat this evil.”
Governor Hyacinth Alia thanked the IGP for responding promptly to visit and commiserate with the state.
Alia who again described the attacks as senseless. “The carnage that took place over the weekend, again, was a senseless one. There was no cause for such bloodbath but it happened. We appreciate you and the entire service for before now responding to us appropriately with all the support in our fight of insurgencies in the state.
Alia who also acknowledged the IGP’s call on the day the carnage took place lamented “We are bleeding, we are in sorrow. I believe your visit is going to uplift our spirits and build within us formidable assurance of the fact that we are not alone but that you will be there for us.”
Governor Alia stated that when he came to office, through hard efforts, he trimmed down the spate of attacks from 17 LGs which were in the frontline of attack to nine Local Governments and later to six.
He however lamented that there have been an upsurge of attacks recently saying “we have not rested in the last two months.
“Again I’m confident that once our victims feel your presence, it will rekindle a hope in them as well. We are hopeful that with all hands on deck we would become victorious and the sorrowful narrative we share today would become a thing of the past.”