The Nasarawa state government has Refutes Allegation over the Benue state killings and land grabbing.
In a town hall meeting held in Benue, a prominent son of Benue and former Pro Chancellor/Chairman Council, Benue State University Makurdi. Prof. Zacha Anger Gundu, accused the Nasarawa state governor Abdullahi Sule of harbouring the killer Fulani herdsmen in the state.
He also alleged that governor Sule grabbed lands belonging to the Tiv people leaving in the neighboring communities of Benue and handing it over to the Fulani herdsmen.
Speaking in a press briefing, the chief press secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Addra, describe the allegations as baseless and untrue.
He said that “Governor Abdullahi Sule, the Government and people Nasarawa state are pained by the killings in Benue State but highly disappointed with the series of false allegations coming from a supposed statesman and prominent sons and daughters of Benue state”.
“It is on record that Governor Sule, in the spirit of brotherhood and neighborliness has continued to demonstrate serious concern and empathy over the unfortunate killings in Benue and other parts of the North-Central region”.
“It is sad to note that stakeholders, who should be working to assist government overcome the current security challenges have instead chosen to ignite passions by making inflammatory statements, raising grievous and unsubstantiated allegations capable of jeopardizing efforts being made to restore peace in the states”.
The CPS, further challenge Prof. Gundu to, “prove his allegations with empirical evidence, detailing where the said killer herdsmen are being camped in Nasarawa State and the involvement of the Governor in such”.
Also, “Brings forward, concrete evidence to substantiate the grievous allegations of land seized and handed over to herdsmen or any other persons for that matter“.
The chief press secretary urged Prof. Gundu to retract his malicious statements against Governor Sule and tender an unreserved apology to the Governor and the Government of Nasarawa state. Which he said failure to prove these allegations, legal action would be taken against him.
“If this demand is not met, Nasarawa state government will institute legal actions against the former Pro-Chancellor and his co-travellers”.
He emphasize that the Sule-led administration has delivered quite well on its mandate of safeguarding and securing the lives and property of the citizens of Nasarawa State through proactive measures and partnership with neighboring States, including Benue to enhance boarder security and peaceful coexistence.
“Government will continue to put all measures in place towards ensuring that peace is restored in all troubled areas in the region and the country as a whole”.
CPS called on the people of Benue and Nasarawa States and members of the general public to beware of mischief makers and join the governors of Nasarawa and Benue to resolve the sad situation once and for all.
Lateefah Ibrahim