Agatu massacre: It’s time to do the right thing

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)  condemns the seemingly unending killings in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. Miffed by the continuous killings, the rights group calls for the dismissal of the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase and the Director-General of the State Security Service, because they have failed in their responsibility […]

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)  condemns the seemingly unending killings in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Miffed by the continuous killings, the rights group calls for the dismissal of the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase and the Director-General of the State Security Service, because they have failed in their responsibility to protect the lives and property of Nigerians. We are deeply shocked that while large scale coordinated attacks are staged by unknown persons, only a little has been done to bring the situation under control. The IGP must resign or be sacked since he is incapable of checking the spate of these mass killings.  It’s a big shame that both the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Service are watching helplessly as these attackers wreak havoc on various communities in Nigeria. The Benue State House of Assembly should also set up and adequately arm a civilian joint task force to protect the lives citizens since the security agencies have failed in their responsibilities. The truth is that urgent actions must be taken by all the concerned stakeholders for this project called Nigeria to survive. We cannot fold our hands when there is a war song in the air. Government must make concerted efforts to stop these senseless killings. Even if there are mercenaries, are they stronger and better equipped than our security agents? 
Truly, it is not advisable for people to take laws into their hands, but anything can happen when men are pushed to the wall. It is said in some quarters that there is a limit to cowardice.
 This is the right time to create state police. It is believed that if Benue had a state police, it would have been able to tackle the problem. The truth is that it is Benue and a few other places today, tomorrow the spate of killings could overwhelm the entire country.
 The killings must be thoroughly investigated and dealt with. And the time to act is now.
Emmanuel Onwubiko, national coordinator of HURIWA