Deputy gov raises alarm over ‘plans to attack’ Benue

Acting Governor of Benue state, Engr. Benson Abounu, yesterday said security report before him have shown that armed mercenaries have occupied Benue valley and were planning to attack the state. Abounu, who spoke with newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting yesterday in Makurdi, noted that the reports also revealed that the mercenaries have already identified and occupied five different locations and communities along the riverine areas of the state waiting to launch possible attack simultaneously. He described the situation as pathetic, and said immediate action must be taken by the federal government to safeguard the lives and property of Benue people and other citizens residing in the state.

He said, “Security reports available before me indicate that large numbers of hired armed mercenaries have occupied Benue Valley planning to launch simultaneous attacks on five major Benue communities. “This development is absolutely worrisome and unhealthy to our state and we condemn it in totality.” He appealed to the federal government, to as a matter of urgency, deploy more security personnel to the state to be mounted in and around all the border communities so as to protect those living along the bank of River Benue.

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