“We’re not habouring criminals attacking Benue,” Nasarawa govt. replies ex-lawmaker

By NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia

The Government of Nasarawa State has refuted allegations that killer gangs operating in Benue State are harboured within the State. The denial is contained in a statement released on Wednesday in Lafia by Peter Ahemba, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs.

Ahemba said the response followed allegations made by a former member of the House of Representatives from Benue State, Mark Gbilah, while appearing in a television discussion programme recently. The former lawmaker had reportedly accused Nasarawa State of serving as a haven for bandits that carry out killings in Benue State.

Ahemba noted that Governor Sule’s efforts in seeking collaborative solutions to the incessant killings speak for themselves. “It is on record that the Nasarawa State government under the leadership of His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Sule has remained consistent in building synergy with neighbouring states, particularly Benue, to enhance peace and address the common security challenges confronting the States and beyond.”

He noted as the Chairman of the Northcentral Governors’ Forum which includes Benue, Nasarawa and others, Governor Sule has shown solidarity with Benue State over the unfortunate rampant killings through seeking and leading joint cooperation with security agencies and other crucial stakeholders to find solutions to the security threats bedevilling the region.

The statement noted that in the quest to end the killings and other criminality in the Northcentral zone, Governor Sule convened a parley of the governors in the region, including Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State.

Sule, the statement said, participated in other similar meetings to bring an end to the security breaches. Ahemba wondered how, with this level of commitment towards ending the atrocities committed by criminals in Benue State, Nasarawa could become a lair for the killers, as alleged by Hon. Gbilah.

The Nasarawa State government says Gbilah’s allegations constitute a “malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the State and disrupt the inter-state relationship between Nasarawa and Benue States” the statement read in part.

It called on Gbilah to, as a former member of the National Assembly, see himself an important partner in the peace and security project and shun promoting hate and discord that could cause tension to boil over between the States.

The Government of Nasarawa State therefore called on members of the public to discountenance the ex-legislators “false narratives” and instead focus “promoting unity and cooperation among communities.”

Ahemba concluding by extending the condolences of the Government and people of Nasarawa State to the government and people of Benue State and other nearby states over the killings and attacks in those places. He assured that Nasarawa State is resolute about securing its borders through peace and security while also sustaining collaboration with its neighbours to solve shared security challenges.