Following renewed armed herdsmen attacks on innocent people in Benue and other parts of the country, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi Branch, has called on the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on security in the country.
Chairman NBA in the state, Barrister Justin Gbagir who made the call during a solidarity visit to the Benue State governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, also called for the establishment of a Victims’ Support Commission, empowered to cater and compensate victims of attacks in the country.
The NBA also called on the Federal Government to establish the North Central Development Commission to rehabilitate parts of the region which have been affected by wanton destruction caused by marauding herdsmen and bandits.
The lawyers who expressed dismay over the death of their colleague, Barrister Moses Udam and his pregnant wife, said they would boycott courts on Monday, 21st December 2020 to mourn their departed member in addition to taking the FG to court for neglecting its duty of protecting lives.
The NBA, according to its chairman, also resolved to collaborate with Governor Ortom in his resolve to protect Benue people from attacks by the marauding herdsmen.
Responding, the governor reiterated his call on the Federal Government to allow responsible Nigerians to own guns for self- defence, stressing that if the deceased lawyer had a means of protection, he would have defended himself.
He stated that herdsmen had decided to target Livestock Guards and Agro Rangers who are preventing them from taking over the land in the guise of grazing, pointing out that it was painful for a young man with such prospects to be murdered in that manner.
Ortom pledged continued support for the Nigerian Bar Association in order to promote law and order.
