The Deputy Governor of Benue state, Benson Abonu on Thursday, told the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs that there is a systematic move to kill the people of Benue state by Fulani herdsmen.

At a public hearing on the “influx of herdsmen to Benue State and the clashes among Tiv, Agatu communities and Fulani herdsmen” put together by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase promised that no hoodlum or group of people will illegally take control of any part of the country while he is in charge as police chief.

The IG said the police force prioritised the lives of every Nigerian as well as the protection of the communities, adding that “every life lost diminishes humanity as a whole.”

Arase said, “I have taken an oath to effectively police and protect every security space in Nigeria and I will continue to do that within the ambit of the law and to the best of my ability and that of my officers and men. And I make bold to say that the Nigerian state cannot be overrun by hoodlums; I can assure you.”

The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Benson Abonu, however, told the committee that “there appears to be a systematic move to annihilate the people of Benue State to establish a kingdom or some kind of rulership.”

“It has taken a national dimension. They want to weaken Benue, and then cross over to other parts of the country.”

“Right now, they have their presence in Kogi, they have attacked Ekiti, Oyo and still counting. We have made this known to the Army and other security agencies.”