The Commissioner for Power and Transportation in Benue State, Omale Mathew has reacted to allegations of complexity on the side of the Nigerian Military in the incessant attacks and killings bedeviling the state.
Speaking on Arise Television, Mathew said while the state appreciates the efforts of the military, there have been reports of some unprofessional conduct among troops deployed to curb the insecurity in Benue.
According to Mathew, women and youths of the state have on different occasions protested the activities of the military.
He said, “There is no way we cannot appreciate the role of the Military in managing the state of insecurity that we currently experiencing in our state and some of the flash points.
Stating that various Local Government Areas have been affected by the incessant attacks, Mathew Apa LGA is one of the worst hit by the attackers.
“And I confirm that the women, youths and the entire leadership of Apa LGA have brought to our attention, even before the protest, about a sense of complexity on the side of the Military whose primary responsibility is to also protect our people, lives and property,” Mathew added.
The commissioner cited an allegation concerning a youth from the LGA who died mysteriously while in the custody of the Nigerian Military in the state.
This, he said has raised fears among women and other residents who doubted the loyalty of the military.
Mathew said, “That is under investigation as to the cause of the arrest by the military and why did he have to die and then we have also listened to the account of the side of the military.”
He assured in the effort to get to the root of the matter, the Military leadership has also dispatched an investigative team on a fact-finding mission on the matter.
“We are still awaiting the outcome of these happenings,” Mathew said.
