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Benue killings, a national disgrace – Group blasts FG

Pro-democracy group, Free Nigeria Movement, has described the killings in Benue State as a national disgrace.

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It said the government has failed in its innate task of providing security and welfare for citizens. It decried the seeming insensitivity of Nigerians to the killings and blamed the rising laxity for challenging fraud and illegality for the phenomenon.

Convener of the group, Dr. Moses Paul, who had earlier called for national day mourning in honour of the victims at a press conference in Abuja, spoke to newsmen at the end of the group’s strategic meeting today.

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According to him, “What is happening in Benue is shameful. Unfortunately, it appears Nigerians have gotten used to the killings hence the cold silence.

“Why is there no national outcry? Even the media has since moved on from the story, same way they have abandoned Borno, returning only when there are ‘new’ deaths to report the numbers.

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“But these killings happen every day. Women, men, children, property, all destroyed, and a country is calm? These are people with names, relationships, hopes, dreams. I cannot imagine how we just move on and allow the killings to continue unabated like Benue is Nigeria’s abattoir?”

He said politicians have broken the resolve of Nigerians to the point where “We have lost the ability to demand for accountability, a cardinal trait of democracy.”

Ogidi called on Nigerians to return to the values of peace, progress, unity and faith that formed a cloak of national cohesion for the nation.

“There is no better time to think Nigerian than now. We must begin to look beyond religion and tribe. What is happening in Benue should affect someone in Enugu like it would affect another in Sokoto, Rivers, Abuja, or Delta. There should be no lines in how we respond to evil. The killings in Benue is evil and must be equally condemned by all Nigerians.”

Ogidi further blamed the culture of indifference among Nigerians as the cause for the silence on the Benue killings.

“I think it’s an emerging behavioural attribute of Nigerians amassed through long years of inept discordant leadership. Somehow, Nigerians have gotten used to not feeling anymore. Like we have been tortured and traumatized for decades and our bodies have grown weak to feelings. It’s a huge human tragedy that is playing out here.”

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