Gov Wike donates N200m to Benue IDPs

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has donated N200million to the people of Benue State who were displaced from their homes following herdsmen invasion of their communities.

Wike also called for comprehensive measures to resolve the “unfortunate killings” of Benue people by persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. The governor said the donation was for the purchase of relief materials and medicine for the displaced persons.

Wike also declared that it was no longer fashionable to trade blames while innocent people are being killed by armed gangs.

A statement by the Rivers State Governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, also quoted Wike as saying this at the Peoples House in Makurdi after he led a delegation of Rivers elders on a condolence visit to Benue State in honour of those killed by Fulani herdsmen earlier this year in the state.

Wike and Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, led other leaders to offer prayers at the graveside of the 73 Benue people killed by alleged Fulani herdsmen

He said, “What has happened in Benue State has affected me. I am pained. Look at deaths everywhere. Nobody is free again.

“People don’t understand the magnitude of the injury inflicted on the people of Benue State. The country must sit down to proffer solutions to this menace.

He added that the conflict that affected a component state also affects the entire country, arguing that it dislodged the security system.

Responding, Governor Ortom said about 100,000 persons have been displaced by the invasion of Fulani herdsmen.

He said Benue State was also battling with the influx of displaced persons from Cameroun.