Renowned activist and public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has issued a stark warning about the escalating violence in Benue State, describing it as a direct threat to Nigeria's national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Shehu condemned the ongoing killings in unequivocal terms, stating they are "Not only intolerable but condemnable and a threat to national unity and peaceful co-existence."
His comments come amid renewed attacks on Benue communities that have claimed dozens of innocent lives in what observers describe as retaliatory assaults by armed groups.
Call for Decisive Action
Shehu urged leaders at all levels to demonstrate courage and take decisive action beyond political caution. "It behoves all those concerned to dispense off fear and act decisively, otherwise the situation has the tendency to spell doom for the entire country," he warned.
The Benue crisis has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters, including religious leaders, with Catholic Bishops criticizing the government's response to the situation.
In a related development, the Nigerian Army has vowed to pursue those responsible for the attacks, while political figures including Peter Obi have called for the declaration of a national emergency over the killings.
The violence has also spread to neighboring Nasarawa State, where suspected herdsmen reportedly attacked a Tiv community, killing a village head and abducting others.
As tensions continue to rise, concerned parents have besieged schools in affected areas, demanding the release of their children amid safety concerns.
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