Democracy Day: Some politicians, religious bandits fueling crisis, killings in Benue- Gov Alia alleges 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday  remarked that some politicians and those he described as ” religious bandits” are fanning members of the crisis and fueling the killings of innocent people in the State. 

He stated this while addressing Pro-Tinibu group who stage  a rally held at the Government House Roundabout Makurdi, the  state capital as part of the activities marking this year’s June 12 Democracy Day celebration.

“The Religious Bandits are the ones fueling the insecurity situation  being experiencing in the state.

“They are doing this through their consistent rhetoric of unverified comments and distortion of facts. 

“There are some religious leaders I call ‘religious bandits’ who are fueling the bad situation we are experiencing here. And how do they support that, by their rhetoric? 

“If you do not have the facts about Benue and Nigeria, shut up. Don’t just say something because you have the holy altar and oil to speak. Speak what you know and what can be verified. 

“There are some leaders who are fanning the embers of discord that peace should not return to the State. 

“We are still faced with insecurity as our people are killed unprovoked. We will take out this total menace and carnage of killings. 

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“We will not rest on our oars to ensure that total peace returns to Benue especially in the 6 LGAs that are in the frontline of insecurity. 

“Am confident that with the support of the President, we are going to get done with insecurity completely in the State. 

“Some traditional and religious leaders are also marching and fighting with us for peace to return to the State. Our people are suffering a lot and for some of us we have taken an oath to defend them and bring back peace”. 

“The day calls for sober reflection of how far the state and nation has journeyed in 26 years of uninterrupted democratic government, adding “We must pay tribute to the heroes who fought for democracy and sacrificed their lives for the unity of the country 

“Those heroes some are with us, others have gone to be with the Lord. They went through alot including imprisonment, sacrificing for the unity of our country. It is not yet uhuru for us.

” As we celebrate this day, people of conscience should note that what unites us is greater than what divides us. So, we must think positively for the State and the nation. We should have faith and hope for the nation. 

“Let us have a change of attitude and a different way of thinking. Let us sacrifice for the state and nation some more. Bring solutions to us and stop putting kerosene on fire. Let us know that Nigeria is our country and we can’t have another one.

” Let us be our brother’s keeper. To the youths, a new Benue is possible and you are the new Benue. Let us do our best to ensure that Benue State is for prosperity and is secured. I am with the masses because they are with the people”, he stated.