Nasarawa governor reacts to alleged complicity in Benue killings

NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia

The governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule has denied allegations of complicity in the killings in Benue State. Sule made the denial while reacting who was denying the allegations made by some prominent sons and daughters of Benue State, including Prof. Zachary Anger Gundu, a former pro-chancellor of the Benue State University, Makurdi.

Speaking through Ibrahim Addra his Chief Press Secretary at news conference on Wednesday, Governor Sule said his response followed a viral video in which Prof, Gundu was heard saying that the Nasarawa State governor of “Masking the killings in Benue State” and “Forcefully taking over farmlands belonging to the Tiv people of Nasarawa State and handing over same to Fulani herdsmen”.

The governor who expressed his disappointment with the claims, especially coming from a respectable member of the society as Prof. Gundun, noted that he is also saddened by the wanton killings in Benue State.

Governor Sule stressed that he is a peacemaker, who, as Chairman of the Northcentral Governors Forum, pursues initiatives that could foster peace between the two states and across the region.

He noted his dismay at the fact that members of the society who should contribute to peacemaking are rather fanning the embers of hate by peddling unfounded stories that could endanger the fragile peace in Benue and Nasarawa states.

He challenged Prof. Gundu to “prove the allegations with empirical evidence, detailing where the said killer herdsmen are being camped in Nasarawa State and the involvement of the governor in such.”

Sule also demands that the Gundu presents evidence to show that his claims of land-grabbing are true, and show the said land that has been purportedly handed over to the Fulani herdsmen or anyone else at that.

He said failure to put forward these requirements, the former pro-chancellor will be made to face legal actions.

The governor denied that any Fulani man has approached his administration for land either as an individual or government forcefully taken over land from anyone. He said the allegations are aimed at tarnishing his hard-earned reputation, hence the traducers have failed.

Sule therefore implored those accusing him and his administration of harbouring criminals to provide actionable intelligence to security agencies, if they have any, rather than peddle non-existent stories.

The Governor said his scorecard on safeguarding the security of lives and property in Nasarawa State is transparent. This, he has achieved through proactiveness and using outlets of collaborations with the neighbouring states, inclusive of Benue.

He promised to continue on this trajectory as he had done through regular dialogue with relevant stakeholders and the different communities that constitute Nasarawa State.