...Demands arrest of Benue killers
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, CONYL, has attributed the current food scarcity in the country to incessant barbaric attacks on agrarian communities by bandits.
CONYL which stated this in a statement by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immediately fish out those behind the recent attack on Benue communities that claimed 15 lives including a retired Army officer.
The invaders suspected to be bandits, razed over 50 houses, huts, farmlands and food barns in 11 settlements during the attack.
CONYL said that mere condemnation of such barbaric attacks by the Presidency without any decisive action against the perpetrators, would no longer be tolerated.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “These farmlands and foods were all destroyed by these terrorists at a time Nigerians are dying of hunger, hardship and starvation.
“This gross act of wickedness must not be swept under the carpet. The culprits must be brought to book immediately.
“The hunger and hardship that is ravaging our nation today is as a result of the series of attack on the food basket of the nation and those behind the attacks left to go scot free. This is gross injustice.
“No nation can survive if she fails the protect her food bank against invaders and terrorists. Food remains the backbone of any nation and without food no nation can survive.”
CONYL also solicited the support of Nigerians for the people of Benue against their attackers.
“We urge all Nigerians of good conscience and all lovers of democracy to rally round the good people of Benue State to ensure they are not wiped out by these terrorists who want Nigerians to die of hunger and starvation.”
The youth group also called for decisive military action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“We, therefore, call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately release all the military arsenals against the terrorists who are hell-bent on seeing Nigerians die of hunger, hardship and starvation.
“The truth remains that the attacks on Benue state is a well calculated attempt to ensure that Nigerians go to bed hungry.”
