An Abuja-based NGO, Aliwe Daughters Initiative, has petitioned the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund to investigate the recent killings of children in Benue State, north central Nigeria.
Over 500 persons including women and children were reportedly murdered in a crisis between Benue farmers and Fulani herdsmen.
The group’s chairperson, Ngunan Uganden, on Wednesday described the killing of innocent children and women as “primitive, barbaric and unacceptable genocide that must not be allowed to continue.”
She challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately deploy troops to the affected areas to support the efforts of Benue State government in ending the carnage.
Since the outbreak of the fresh crisis in Agatu, Buruku and Logo local government areas last month, she said hundreds had been killed and several communities sacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Mrs. Uganden said the saddest sides of the massacre were the killing, rape and kidnap of innocent children.
She, therefore, called on the UNICEF to investigate the perpetrators of these heinous acts and come to the aide of vulnerable children and women affected by the crisis
“We insist that the continued perpetration of crisis between herdsmen and farmers in Benue, which claimed hundreds of lives and property worth millions of naira, is bringing untold hardship to innocent people in the state who are predominantly farmers.
“Cattle rearing is a business to Fulani people like farming is business for Benue farmers.
“Fulanis should be compelled to establish ranches in their respective states to feed their animals.
The continued attacks on farmers by herdsmen can no longer be tolerated,” she added.
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