Sen. Jarigbe Condemns Killing of Benue Indigene In Obudu, Appeal For Restoration Of Peace
Judex OKORO
THE Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has
condemned intoto the gruesome murder of a native of Benue in Obudu over communal clash.
Jarigbe has called for the restoration of peace and again condemned the communal clash between Obudu and Tsar community of Benue.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar on Wednesday, Jarigbe who doubles as the chairman Senate committee on Gas, called security agencies to take immediate decisive action to restore peace in the areas.
The statement reads in part: "This senseless act of violence is not only barbaric but also completely unacceptable.
"The victim was an unarmed civilian going about his lawful business and had no connection to the ongoing communal tensions.
"His murder is a tragic and unjustifiable crime that must be met with the full wrath of the law," stated the Senator.
"I demand that the perpetrators of the heinous crime be apprehended and made to face the full consequences of the law. We call for the deployment of additional security personnel to the affected areas to prevent further escalation and protect innocent lives. '
He tasked the community leaders from both Tsar and Obudu to de-escalate tensions and foster dialogue for lasting peace.
According to him, "this communal clash must not extend beyond the disputed areas. Our people in Cross River North and Benue State have lived together for generations—intermarrying, trading, and coexisting peacefully.
"We must not allow the actions of a few criminals to destroy this longstanding harmony and put our people at risk.
"I urge all residents to remain calm and law-abiding while security agencies restore order. Retaliatory attacks will only worsen the situation and must be avoided at all costs."
Recall that communal clash erupted on Friday between Abonkidi community of Obudu Cross Rivers and Tsar Mbaduku of Vandeikya local Government Area of Benue state.
The clash led to a driver from Gboko in Benue state being killed by irate mobs in Obudu.
The deceased identified as Tarnenge, who is a driver from Gboko, was going about his business only to be ambushed and stoned to death on a highway by Obudu youths
