The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hit out at President Muhammadu Buhari over the handling of the security challenges in Benue State.
According to the PDP in a statement on Wednesday, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Buhari appear complicit in the killing of innocent Nigerians in Benue State by suspected herdsmen.
According to them even after the assassination attempt on Governor Samuel Ortom’s life, nothing credible has been done by the federal government to address the insecurity in Benue.
It called on Buhari to take fresh and urgent measures to stop the killings in Benue State and direct security operatives to take action.
The full statement reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vehemently condemns the incessant attacks by suspected killer herdsmen and terrorists on innocent Nigerians in Benue State.”
“The party further condemns the manifest failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) to take decisive steps to apprehend the assailants as well as provide adequate security in the state, even after the attempt on Governor Samuel Ortom’s life.”
“The PDP holds that the body language and lethargic approach of the APC-led administration appear to validate apprehensions that the assailants are enjoying the cover of some persons in government, in the execution of their bloody enterprise against Nigerian citizens.”
“Our party insists that President Buhari has no further excuse but to take responsibility and adopt urgent security measures to stop the carnage in Benue and other states where invading terrorist elements, under various shades are displacing our citizens and taking control of their common patrimony.”
“The PDP solidarizes with Governor Ortom and the entire people of Benue state and urge the governor not to be deterred by the situation.”
“The party charges the people of Benue state to remain at alert while urging security agencies to be on the side of the people in checking the activities of these terrorists marauding communities in the state.”
“Furthermore, the PDP calls on Nigerians across board, not to succumb to terrorist elements but remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with our security agencies at this critical time.”
Meanwhile, Kaduna-based Islamic scholar Abubakar Ahmad Gumi has dismissed reports that he was involved in the N800,000 purportedly paid to secure the release of some abducted students in Kaduna state.
Recall that bandits had in March attacked the College of Forestry Mechanisation in Afaka, Igabi LGA, and abducted 39 students.
Speaking with Roots TV during a protest to demand the release of the abducted students, one of the parents alleged that Gumi directed them to a Fulani man named Ahmed, who collected N800,000 from them.