Benue State Commissioner for Power and Transportation, Omale Omale, has said that there is still loss of lives and property despite military presence in the state.
The Commissioner made this disclosure on Thursday in an interview on Arise Television, appreciating the role of the military in managing or attempting to manage the state of insecurity currently ravaging the state.
DAILY POST reports that no fewer than 25 persons were confirmed dead following an attack by suspected herdsmen on Edikwu Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner further said that investigation was ongoing into the alleged death of a resident of Apa Local Government Area of the state at the hands of the military, when the women of the area were carrying out a peaceful protest against the killings of their children.
“We thought the presence of the military would ward off invaders, but we keep seeing a surge of invaders and their activities.
“There is still loss of lives and properties in the state. The people expect that the military would engage invaders immediately as they troop into communities.
“It has been brought to our attention, even before the protests, that there is a sense of complexity on the side of the military, whose primary responsibility is also to protect our people, lives, and property. The military that were in our place, particularly in our local government, who were carrying out their lawful duty, are beating these youths.
“There is this allegation that one of our young chaps died under the hands of the military. That matter is under investigation. And then we have also listened to the account on the side of the military to understand why that situation happened,” he said.
