The Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura, has described as unfortunate, the allegation that the gunmen attacking some communities, causing loss of lives in Benue State were camped in Tango in Awe local government of Nasarawa State.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State made the allegation in Abuja on Tuesday.
But in his reaction, Al-Makura said he was sad over the allegation, stressing that the claim was not true.
“There is nothing like that whatsoever,” said Al-Makura.
He explained that Tonga said to be the camp of the militia was hosting about three camps for Internally Displaced Persons because it was a safe haven.
He said it would therefore be ironical to say that the place was the camp of the gunmen.
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His words: “If anything, the Tonga that the governor is talking about in Awe local government is now the safe haven for displaced persons. As I speak with you today, there are more than three IDP camps in Awe local government that quarters and caters for the number of people that have migrated from Benue to Nasarawa.
“To be specific, they are more than 7,000 people that are camped in Tonga. So, it is very ironical that a place that is supposed to be a safe haven for IDPs can now be called militia’s camp.
“In that case, the militia don’t need to go as far as Benue; they have the prey within the vicinity of Tonga to attack. I think this is most unfortunate. With efforts we as a state are making and supporting the governor to find ways and means of solving this problem, that Nasarawa state can be identified as an area where some of these militants are coming from is unfortunate.”
He said it was surprising that despite the hours spent together in the company of other stakeholders on Monday in Abuja trying to find a way out of the problem, Ortom did not talk to him about such a claim.
He said apart from that, there was no security report identifying any part of Nasarawa State as being the den of the criminals attacking Benue.
“I feel what should be of concern to us as leaders is the plight of the people and any of such statement that is inflammatory is likely going to cause more confusion to what is already there,” Al-Makura said.