The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi Innocent, has revealed that his officers engaged in a fierce gun battle with the attackers of Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 persons were reportedly killed on Saturday.
Speaking on Sunday, while addressing a group of protesting youths who came out en masse to demand an end to the bloodshed, Emenari assured the public that the police are on the ground and committed to restoring peace across the state.
“We exchanged gunfire with the attackers for more than six hours during the Yelewata incident. I was monitoring the situation in real time,”; the Commissioner stated.
Describing the ongoing security challenges as a “phase”; that would soon be over, Emenari called on the youths and the general public to remain calm and support security agencies in their efforts.
“In the last one month, you’ll notice that security presence has intensified across the state. This is just a phase. We are already passing through it. It’s like a snake, when you cut off its head, it still struggles for a while. That is what you’re seeing now. But we have already cut the head of the snake. Peace will definitely return.”;
The commissioner reaffirmed his commitment to nipping insecurity in the bud, adding that the force would not rest until Benue enjoys lasting peace.
