Benue State Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Hon. Solomon Iorpev, has accused neighbouring Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, of allegedly harbouring suspected killer Fulanis who, he claimed, cross into Benue State to attack communities before retreating through the same route.
Iorpev made the allegation on Thursday in Makurdi while addressing journalists at the Benue State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where he expressed concern over the persistent killings and destruction of property linked to communal violence in parts of the state.
Key Highlights
- Solomon Iorpev accuses Governor Abdullahi Sule of allegedly harbouring suspected killers.
- The Benue Commissioner claims attackers cross from Nasarawa into Benue before returning through the same route.
- Iorpev says recurring killings and destruction of property must be urgently addressed.
- The commissioner links longstanding security challenges in Benue to alleged activities originating from neighbouring areas.
- Iorpev calls for stronger action against those responsible for attacks on innocent residents.
- Professor Daniel Bo urges journalists to investigate corruption and hold public officials accountable.
- The university don says the media remains a powerful instrument for exposing wrongdoing.
Iorpev Accuses Nasarawa of Harbouring Suspected Killers
The Benue commissioner alleged that some suspected perpetrators of attacks on communities in Benue State operate from hideouts in neighbouring Nasarawa State.
According to Iorpev, the attackers allegedly enter Benue, carry out violent attacks that result in deaths and destruction of property, and subsequently retreat through routes linking the state with Nasarawa.
He expressed frustration over what he described as years of bloodshed and repeated complaints about attacks on Benue communities.
Iorpev said the situation had persisted for decades and called for urgent measures to stop further loss of lives.
“I am not afraid to accuse him and expose his involvement,” Iorpev said, referring to Governor Sule, while alleging that suspected attackers had repeatedly crossed into Benue to commit violence before returning to Nasarawa.
The commissioner maintained that the recurring violence had caused significant suffering among residents and urged authorities to take decisive action against those responsible.
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Commissioner Demands End to Bloodshed
Iorpev said the persistent killings should not be allowed to continue, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the conflicts.
He argued that security agencies and relevant authorities must intensify efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators while protecting vulnerable communities from further attacks.
The commissioner’s allegations against Governor Sule are serious and remain claims that have not been independently established. Governor Sule’s response to the allegations was not included in the information available for this report.
Don Urges Journalists to Expose Corruption
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Department of Mass Communication at Fr. Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, formerly Benue State University, Professor Daniel Bo, has urged journalists to take their responsibilities seriously by investigating critical issues affecting society.
Speaking at the event, Bo said the media had an important role to play in exposing corruption, investigating abuse of office and holding public officials accountable.
He urged journalists to go beyond reporting events and undertake investigative journalism capable of uncovering wrongdoing and promoting transparency in governance.
The university don recalled the popular saying that “the pen is mightier than the sword,” noting that responsible journalism could influence society and compel authorities to address issues of public concern.
He stressed that the media remains an important pillar of democracy and should continue to use its platform to demand accountability from those entrusted with public responsibilities.
