News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
Tiv Professors worldwide under the auspices of Forum of Ayatutu Professors (FAP) have urged the Benue band Nasarawa state Governors, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia and Engr Abdullahi Sule to exhibit real friendship and work together to safeguard the lives of the people.
They said all Governors and the people must be at the forefront and be responsible for safeguarding their communities to prevent terrorists from invading and killing the people.
FAP also expressed solidarity with the Governor of Benue State,
Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia over his recent call for the establishment of
State Police.
The group stated this in a statement signed by Prof Tor Iorapuu and Prof Simon Irtwange Chairman and Secretary Board of Trustees and Council of Management and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday.
The group who lamented the June 13 Yelwata massacre and other killings across the country recalled that past governors and civil society activists have been on this
matter of state police since the outbreak of violence in Plateau State.
They noted that Nigeria’s
current population is enough reason to introduce State Policing as the number of the Nigerian Police and the army combined cannot handle the many ungoverned spaces spread across Nigeria and its territorial space.
The group said that “By implication Nigeria’s sovereignty is under threat” citing the activities of Boko Haram and bandits attacks in Katsina, Zamfara, and Niger States as examples.
FAP also called on the Federal and State Governments to improve border surveillance and end ongoing killings of citizens.
They particularly called for a strong commitment and understanding between the current
governors of Benue and Nasarawa States and the people stating that Interior growth is only possible when they commit themselves to and with others.
They said “Benue State and Nasarawa State governments and by extension its people, must exhibit real friendship. That friendship where we can say exactly what we feel, knowing that we will be listened to, encouraged and confirmed in love and tenderness, will be a great resource for both states.
The group urged security agencies to wake up and take full responsibility and address the country’s security challenges.
“The army and the police are stationed at Yelwata and yet a brutal massacre of that magnitude occurred.
“The Jebbu community in Riyom Plateau State barely a kilometre from a major military check point, and the neighbouring community suffered an attack without help from the army.”
While tasking the FG and States on urgently improved border surveillance to end the incessant attacks and killings of innocent people, the group stated that deployments of security personnels at various locations was not enough to end security challenges but rather that an effective coordination and improved surveillance would achieve success.
The group urged the Federal Government to compensate all victims of attack in the country especially those in Benue, Plateau and Southern Kaduna and pushed for the inclusion of Benue, Plateau and Communities in Southern Kaduna in the country’s Humanitarian Response Plan.
They further urged the North Central Development Commission to support the renewal of livelihoods in the states and the protection of crop farmers from further attacks by the terrorists.
While also reacting to the decision of Nasarawa Governor, Abdullahi Sule to sue Prof Zacharys Gundu, Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Mkar, Benue State, over his comments that the state was harbouring terrorists killing Benue residents, FAP encouraged Engr Sule to rethink his decision.
They said Prof Gundu only acted in defense of the truth and the Forum of Ayatutu Professors stand with him.
According to them the issue at stake was of serious global concern and “No state can claim innocence while its borders become bridges for terror;
sovereignty is a shield for Peace, not a sanctuary for lawlessness.”
“FAP would like to encourage His Excellency to reflect again on this matter. This incident has the capacity to introduce or deepen unnecessary tensions and cold war between the two States,”
Our correspondent reports that the VC of University of Mkar, Prof Zacharys Gundu, had, through his lawyers headed by Sebastian Hon SAN, responded to Governor Sule expressing his willingness to meet him in court.
