By Emmanuel Iorbee
February 13, 2020
Benue community accused police of fueling crisis
A Community in Makurdi local government area of Benue State has accussed the Nigerian Police Force of taking side with the Iharev community people who it was alleged are currently attacking and burning down their houses at Akile, along Makurdi -Gboko road.
Rissing from an emergency meeting in Makurdi, Wedenesday, the Ipusu Community through a Press Release signed by it’s President , Capt. Dominic Agberifan (Rtd), and Secretary Chiata Boniface and made available to this medium called for the immidiate transfer of the Divisional Police Officer incharge of E – Division (Akpehe) for breach of trust.
The statement said it was worrisome that uptill now, the perpetrators of the heinous acts were working freely, causing more harm to the Ipusu Community, stealing their domestic animals and other valuables victims of the crises who fled for safety left behind.
It stressed that even with the admittance by the traditional rulers from Iharev that their youths were responsible for the recent break down of peace, said non of them has been invited by the police for interogation.
It alleged that the Iharev Community has hired militia groups to advance their agenda of sending the Ipusu Community packing from the area, a development the statetment informed was reported to the Police but no action is been taking.
It emphasized that the Ipusu people were bonafide indegins of the area who had lived and carried out their legitimate activities for over 100 years and thus cannot be classified as settlers.
It also called on the Benue State Government to lift the ban placed on brisk laying as according to it, it remaind the major economic life of the people and hence the ban was causing them more hardship.
It threatened that the Ipusu Community will be forced to resort to self help should adequate measures were not immediately taken to halt the attacks on its members.
When contacted , the Police public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSp Sewuese Anene, said that the police cannot take side with any member or community, we can only ensure that is peace is maintained she said.