The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has called for fairness in the
arrest and prosecution of those involved in the crisis in Benue State.
MURIC said Fulani herdsmen shouldn’t be the only ones arrested by security operatives.
The organisation warned that arresting and prosecuting herdsmen alone
for killings in Benue can only, “give Nigeria peace of the graveyard”
which will not last long.
The organisation made the call while reacting to the 14-day ultimatum, senate gave the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to arrest those involved in the massacre in Benue State.
Reacting to the order, MURIC said there was the need to clarify who
should be arrested between the herdsmen and people of Benue State.
In a statement signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola and
sent to DAILY POST, MURIC urged the police boss to, “conduct a
comprehensive and impartial investigation, arrest, detention and
prosecution of all killers,” involved in the crisis.
The statement reads partly, “While the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
welcomes this development, we see the need for clarification and
modification of Senate’s request.
“In the first place, we need to ask whether the killers who should be
arrested are just herdsmen who have been accused of killings in Benue.
If this is so, there is need for modification particularly in the light
of the exposure of a killer army being sponsored by Benue State
authorities and the claim by herdsmen that the Benue militia had been
killing Fulanis in the state. Therefore IG must not only arrest killer
herdsmen but also arrest, detain and prosecute killer militiamen in
illegal camps in Benue.
“Secondly, IG’s deterrent action must not be limited to Benue alone.
He must spread his dragnet to Taraba, Plateau and other volatile states
where killings of all forms have occurred. The herdsmen have complained
that 1,000 of their men have been killed in different states while two
million of their cattle have been rustled. No serious security outfit
can close its eyes to this allegation if it wants enduring peace.
“What MURIC is saying is that arresting and prosecuting herdsmen
alone for killings in Benue can only give Nigeria peace of the
graveyard. It will not last. For lasting peace, we must fish out those
who have been killing herdsmen and rustling their cows. That is
comprehensive justice. Only a holistic disciplinary action can halt the
cycle of violence.
“To cut a long story short, we charge the IG to conduct a
comprehensive and impartial investigation, arrest, detention and
prosecution of all killers among the herdsmen, Benue militia, Bachama
terrorists and all criminal elements who are cutting short the lives of
innocent Nigerians. We urge the press to avoid assymetrical journalism
and to Nigerianise their reportage, particularly in sensitive cases like
that of Benue.”