The Federal Government has deployed additional troops to Benue State in response to the latest wave of vicious attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, which left scores of residents dead.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, disclosed this on Monday in a statement.
He said President Bola Tinubu swiftly ordered a full-scale military operation to flush out the perpetrators and restore peace in the area, following the “mindless and disheartening” killings in the state.
He said, “I express profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his swift directive for a full security operation to rid Benue of these killers and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is to be noted also, that the federal government has rendered assistance through NEMA, while more troops have been deployed to Benue state to handle the explosive situation. “
Akume who condemned the massacre described it as a wound to the nation.
He said, “The continued bloodletting and mindless killings across Benue State are both disheartening and utterly condemnable.
“This latest reprehensible act, one among too many, is not merely a tragedy for Benue; it is a deep wound to the soul of our nation.
“These dastardly acts are not restricted to Benue State alone. Plateau and Zamfara states also suffer the same fate. These killings are economically deterministic, not religiously driven.”
Akume called on leaders and stakeholders in Benue to set aside all differences and urgently unite to chart a sustainable path to peace.
“We must rise above division and act decisively to protect our people and preserve our future,” he said.
The SGF urged all Nigerians, regardless of faith or belief, to uphold peace and brotherhood.
He said, “Any single life lost offends the sensibility of God Almighty.”
The SGF also reaffirmed the federal government’s resolve to halt the attacks, assuring that the “government will not rest until justice speaks loudly, clearly, and without delay”.
