Odinkalu insensitive to casualties of attacks in Benue – Alia

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has described the comments of Prof. Chidi Odinkalu during his recent reaction regarding governor’s response to the ongoing violence in Benue State as unveiling a disturbing insensitivity towards the casualties of these attacks.

The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula said it would be more rational if the focus was on the plight of the people suffering from these unprovoked terrorists attacks, rather than on sneering at the governor and his approaches.

The governor’s spokesman lamented that Benue, with the appellation of the Food Basket of the Nation, was awfully bleeding from the dreadful wounds viciously inflicted as a result of relentless attacks by armed herders as according to the Governor’s Aide many innocent lives have been lost, and thousands of families have been displaced.

He further explained that “Gov. Alia, has on various occasions, openly acknowledged the limitations of his efforts in providing necessary supports through logistics and manpower to federal security forces, which are evidently overstretched.

“More importantly, the Governor has not shied away from naming the perpetrators of these heinous acts. He has consistently pointed out the active involvement of criminal elements among Fulani herdsmen, who have resorted to hiring mercenaries to aid in their land-grabbing ventures. This distinction is vital; it reflects an understanding that not all members of an ethnic group are complicit in violence.

“It is a statement of fact that the attacks are primarily carried out by some criminal herders, and Gov. Alia, as a well-educated priest, discerns the pitfalls of generalization. Stereotyping a whole ethnic group does not generate solutions to the crisis at hand. Rather, it enhances division and distracts from the urgent need for comprehensive support from the federal government and the international community.”

According to him the most important issues was the terrorists attacks on the natives of Benue State whether the “perpetrators are Malians, Nigeriens, or come from elsewhere but the focus should be on empathy and solutions rather than on vindictive criticisms.”

He wondered why personalities like Chidi Odinkalu, who should align in solidarity with the victims of these attacks, prefer to choose performative critique as such comments were capable of taking the people away from the genuine issues befalling the people of Benue.

“All we require at this trying moment is to redirect our efforts towards healing and finding effective solutions for those affected by this unrelenting violence.”