The Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Benue State Chapter, has condemned in strong terms, the last Saturday attack on the State Governor Samuel Ortom by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia.
The State Chairman of NBA, Barr. Justin Gbagir who made the condemnation in Makurdi, when he briefed journalists called on the federal government to unleash the security agencies to go after the perpetrators, apprehend them and ensure they are punished.
Gbagir said as a professional association whose motto is “promoting the rule of law”, the NBA cannot in the circumstances of this brazen disregard to human life and the rule of law remain mute.
Lamenting what he described as “total collapse and breakdown of security in our country, Gbagir said “We therefore condemn in the most-strong term this attack on Governor Samuel Ortom and immediately call on the federal government that controls all the security architecture in this country to fish out the perpetrators of this act with a view to bring them to justice
According to him, “there is in existence a general obligation to obey the law and all legal subjects have an obligation to obey the law in all instances to which the law is applied. Those aggrieved with governmental or individual actions or inactions must also employ lawful means of seeking redress instead of resorting to violence.”
The Benue NBA expressed worry on the safety of the common man saying “if the assailants can dare the retinue of security at the disposal of the Governor, what will happen to the man on the street who is at the mercy of the command of state security apparatchiks” which they equally observed were lacking in most villages and even in satellite towns.
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Gbagir, on behalf of Benue NBA urged the state governor to remain resolute in his commitment to the defence of the Benue people saying the attack on him should rather strengthen his zeal, as the defender of the Benue Valley, to further defend his people.
“It should be a teachable moment reminding him of how vulnerable his people are in the hands of the Fulani militias and other bandits terrorizing the common man,” he said.
Gbagir further thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for condemning the attack and also instigating full scale and transparent investigation on the matter and urged him to ensure that his statement be made factual, put into practice and the culprit apprehended.
“We also urge the federal government to ensure that security is improved in all facets of the country to assuage the fears of Nigerian and foreigners coming into the country. Nigerian state must be safe for all and sundry,” he said.
