“God will never allow It – Akume slams ethnic cleansing plot in Benue

By Emmanuel Antswen

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has firmly stated that no person or group has the power to annihilate any tribe on earth, declaring that such attempts are against divine order and will never succeed.

Akume made this declaration on Tuesday during the official flag-off of the distribution of Federal Government relief materials to victims of the recent deadly attacks in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Addressing survivors at the emergency camp in Makurdi, the SGF condemned the violence, describing it as bearing the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing—an agenda he said was both unjustifiable and utterly unacceptable.

“No one can erase an entire people from the face of the earth,” Akume stressed.

“God Almighty will never permit such evil. Even the Jews, who lost over six million lives during the Holocaust in Germany, have today multiplied their numbers and influence.”

He decried the continued killings and displacements as deeply inhumane and urged the affected communities, especially the people of Yelewata, to remain committed to peace, even in the face of provocation.

Akume, who served as former Governor of Benue State, reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to safeguarding the nation’s unity and ensuring the safety of every citizen.

“President Tinubu is committed to a Nigeria where everyone can sleep in peace without fear,” he said, while also extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and displaced.

Also speaking at the event, former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, lamented the erosion of basic human values, noting that the scale and brutality of the attacks signalled a loss of the nation’s humanity.

“In times of war, even the most ruthless enemies spared women and children. But here, babies as young as one year old were not spared. It is heartbreaking,” Ogbeh said.

He described the victims as hardworking Nigerians, particularly farmers who contribute immensely to the nation’s food supply.

“No society can withstand this level of carnage,” Ogbeh added. “Benue people, who fought for Nigeria’s unity during the civil war, cannot be allowed to face extermination in peace time.”

In his remarks, Senator Jacob Gyado urged residents not to give up on the Tinubu-led administration, expressing confidence that the Federal Government would act to restore security and justice.

Earlier in the day, the SGF visited the site of the Yelewata massacre, met with community leaders, and assessed the condition of the injured in hospital.

He later made a symbolic presentation of relief materials and cash donations to the displaced persons. (NAN)