The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Wednesday, called on President Bola Tinubu and the Benue State government to put a permanent stop to the incessant killings allegedly being perpetrated by suspected killer herdsmen.
The student body noted that the coordinated overnight killings and destruction in Yelwata community has colouration of ethnic cleansing, warning that if not halted, Nigeria risks a genocide situation like what happened in Rwanda.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital by its National Vice President on Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia, NANS described the bloodshed in both Benue and Plateau States as barbaric and condemnable.
“NANS condemns the latest attacks in Yewalta in Benue State where no fewer than 200 people, including children were massacred by suspected killer herdsmen.
“This is not only barbaric but a dastardly act which is tantamount to genocide and ethnic cleansing.
“With these unabated killings, we are afraid that Nigeria is inching towards genocide and ethnic cleansing that Rwanda witnessed years ago,” Akinbodunse said.
It, however, urged the federal government to find a lasting solution to the incessant killings not only in Benue, but Plateau and other states of the federation facing similar situations.
Akinbodunse, who expressed dismay over the inability of security agents to curtail the mass murders, charged the federal government do more to put a stop to the ugly situation.
The students unionist stressed that the federal government must not allow the unfortunate incidents to cast a dent on the successes recorded by the Tinubu-led administration, hence the need to put more preventive measures in place.
She expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the Yelwata’s attacks, calling for a collaboration between the federal and Benue State governments in the fight against deadly conflicts in the state
Akinbodunse, however, urged the federal government to beef up security around campuses of tertiary institutions as well as student residential areas in Benue State.
“We, therefore, urge the President Tinubu-led administration to tackle and nip the skirmishes in the bud, and restore peace in the affected communities. Also, the perpetrators of the murders must be identified, fished out and prosecuted accordingly,” she said.
Akinbodunse however, declared that NANS will not hesitate to mobilise students across the nation to protest the mass killings, if the massacre persists.
