By Gabriel Olawale

Lagos—A group, the Benue Valley Professional Network, has called for an end to the incessant killings in Benue State and other middle belt states, which they accused terrorists of being responsible.

In a statement, after its Colloquium on ‘Peace, Progress and Development in the Benue Valley’, held in Lagos at the weekend, the group alleged that terrorists, under the guise of herdsmen are responsible for the incessant killings, which had left hundreds dead.

The statement by Vitalis Ortese and Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, called for “inclusive leadership to take into cognizance the contributions of professionals with a diversity of skills that can aid development.”

The statement reads: “The participants noted with dismay that the government was failing in its duty to protect the lives and property of its citizens in the Benue Valley and the middle belt and called for the government and other leaders to address this grievous failing urgently.

“They also called for communities to redefine their identities as people of the Benue Valley and deepen the need for professionals to gain a stronger understanding of the historical origins and evolution of their indigenous backgrounds. “The participants also restated their commitment to Nigeria; in the face of provocation by state institutions, who appear to be weak in curtailing the killings in the valley.”