Shippers Council CEO, Pius Akutah, Expresses Anguish Over Benue Killings Amid Renewed Attacks

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Dr. Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council, has voiced profound grief regarding the escalating violence in his home state of Benue. His comments on his X account on Sunday, come in the wake of recent horrific attacks that have claimed numerous lives in the State.

“I am deeply concerned about the continued killings in my state despite the efforts of the Federal Government”

“As a Benue state indigene, I am deeply touched and I wish to appeal to the security agencies and the state Government to double their efforts and do so quickly too.”

His remarks follow deadly attacks carried out by terrorists in the Yelwata and Daudu communities of Guma Local Government Area on Saturday.

Reports indicate that at least 100 people were feared killed and many more injured when the assailants invaded the communities, reportedly using commercial buses.

Since Sunday morning, low-flying military aircraft have been observed hovering over Makurdi and parts of neighboring Guma and Gwer West LGAs, suggesting increased security operations.

In response to the latest massacre, President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his directive to security chiefs to put an end to the wanton killings in Benue State.

This directive was disclosed in a Sunday evening statement signed by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, hours after Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims of the “terrible massacre.”

Mr. Onanuga further stated that intelligence chiefs and senior officials from the police and military have arrived in Benue to directly oversee security operations and restore order, acting on the President’s instructions.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr. Emenari Ifeanyi, confirmed that the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has taken charge of security operations in the state.

“The IG has taken over the security of Benue State. As I speak to you now, the IG has already sent Special Forces who are already on ground, and more are coming,” Ifeanyi affirmed. “All the Special Forces are intelligence-based. They will go, no matter where the bandits are, and get them.”

He noted that some units had arrived in Makurdi the previous night, while other forces had been strategically positioned in Naka, Apa, Agatu, Daudu, and Yelwata.

“We are in control of the situation, so I’m assuring all citizens of the state that we are in control, all the security agencies are with us on this. We have already made some arrests.”

The Commissioner also highlighted that Governor Hyacinth Alia has provided all necessary logistical support to aid the ongoing security operations.

He explained that Saturday’s attack in Yelwata might have been opportunistic, as a significant number of officers had been previously deployed to other hotspots within the state.