President Muhammadu BuhariPresident Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting with political, traditional and opinion leaders from Benue state on Monday, January 15, to comprehensively address the security challenges facing the State in recent time.
A source in the Presidency said that the meeting is coming on the heels of the frequency and scale of deadly violence that had taken dangerous shapes and the reactions that trailed such violence.
The Presidency is believed to have been embarrassed by the large scale loss of lives as a result of repeated violence against innocent people.
It was learnt that the discussions at tomorrow’s meeting will centre on the issue of herdsmen/farmers’ clashes and the resultant loss of several lives, as well as the issue of the arming, training and financing of militia groups by some State governments.
The Presidency is said to have taken notice of the recent arrest of some armed militia members by the army who allegedly confessed that they were being armed by the Benue State government.
It was gathered that such incidence has added a new twist to the Benue State saga.
“It would not be a surprise if the Presidency seeks an explanation about this from the Governor with a view to getting at the root of the state’s security challenges,” the source hinted.
Reacting to the information, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said confirmed that Benue leaders will hold a parley with the President tomorrow, but that he had not been briefed about the issues being brought to the table for discussions.
According to Garba Shehu, President Buhari is ready to embrace any initiative by any group that would provide lasting solution to be country’s security problems.
He added that security is the business of everyone and should elicit collective participation of all.
He said that it would therefore be better for all the stakeholders to come together and find solutions, instead of people trading blames. [myad]
