The United States of America has been urged to launch airstrikes in Benue due to the high number of armed herdsmen attacking farmers in the state by former Justice Minister Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN.
He made this statement over the weekend at a consultative dinner held in Makurdi for political stakeholders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Chief Aondoakaa, the people have been subjected to ongoing attacks by the current government, and armed herdsmen now control over 15 of the state’s 23 LGAs.
According to him, a large number of people have been uprooted from their ancestral lands as a result of these attacks, and women and children are now living in extremely terrible conditions in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps located throughout the state.
“Terrorists exist in Benue State.” It should have been here that US airstrikes began before heading to Sokoto. In Benue, these airstrikes are much needed.
“Terrorists are those who entered Benue under the pretence of grazing but have taken up arms against native people, destroyed livelihoods, uprooted communities, and occupied ancestral lands.”
According to Chief Aondoakaa, armed herders have taken over various local government areas, causing great misery for the locals. Disappointed, he said, with the state government’s lacklustre response.
In order to address the issue directly, Chief Aondoakaa maintained that swift international action—including US airstrikes—was required.
In order to bring peace and stability back, he also asked the Benue State Government to bolster its local security framework and use all of its resources.
If elected, Aondoakaa, who is running for governor to replace Governor Hyacinth Alia, promised to put security first, emphasising the importance of cooperation and unity among political leaders from all parties.
In order to stop other assaults in Benue State, he asked for continued assistance and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts to solve national security issues.
Reiterating his desire to lead Benue State, Chief Aondoakaa promised to protect the people’s safety and well-being.
Recent violent attacks in the state, including the murder of more than 200 people in the Yelewata hamlet, were denounced by him.