…Says Benue ‘militia’ Guards could become another Boko Haram
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, have been told to probe the activities of the Benue State Volunteer Guards.
A group, the ‘Benue Coalition on Human Rights’ made this known in a letter to the President, IGP, National Security Adviser and heads of other security agencies.
In the petition, co-signed by its President and Secretary General, Rev. Solomon Semaka and Patriot Okwori Onaji, the group alleged that the Benue Guards were being used to intimidate and harass perceived political opponents.
The group said the most recent attack was carried out in Otukpo, whereby three natives were dehumanized and left in a coma.
It, however, warned that if not curtailed, they may metamorphose into another radical terrorist group.
“The Benue Coalition on Human Rights is speaking up on this matter because we are witnesses to how stakeholders in Borno state are today being blamed for keeping quiet while the then-infamous ECOMOG Boy transited into Boko Haram/ISWAP.
“We, therefore, appeal that you use your good office to dismantle the Benue Volunteers Guard before it becomes another crisis group for the country”, the group further stated.
