Atiku decries rising bloodshed in Benue, urges urgent govt action

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over the continued violence and loss of lives in Benue State, calling on leaders at all levels to prioritize the safety and security of the people.

In a statement issued on Monday, Atiku described the situation in Benue as a "brutal and heart-wrenching reality" that has persisted for too long. 

He lamented that families have continued to bury their loved ones in silence, with communities ravaged and livelihoods destroyed, while government responses remain inadequate.

"The people of Benue are not asking for too much," he said. 

"They simply want to live in peace, to farm without fear, and to raise their children without the constant threat of violence."

Atiku condemned the use of force against citizens who protest the killings, stating that such demonstrations are legitimate expressions of frustration and a demand for the constitutional right to life and safety. 

According to him, meeting peaceful protests with brutality is a betrayal of the responsibilities of leadership.

"The silence and lack of urgency from those in power are damning," he said.

"It reveals a disturbing normalisation of violence against the very people the government is meant to protect."

He urged both federal and state authorities to rise to the occasion by working closely with security agencies and deploying the necessary resources to address the security crisis.

He also called for the creation of a more effective security framework that values human lives above political considerations.

Atiku noted that Benue is not alone in its plight, citing similar security challenges in other states such as Plateau, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Taraba. 

He emphasized that the rising insecurity across Nigeria requires immediate and coordinated action.

Calling on citizens not to remain silent, the former vice president encouraged Nigerians to demand accountability and justice from their leaders, warning that history would not be kind to those who chose to ignore the suffering of the people.

"The time to act is now," he stressed.