The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), the umbrella body of youth groups drawn across the six geo-political zones, has condemned in the strongest terms the latest bloody assault on the Ayilamo community in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Coalition demanded the Governor’s immediate resignation over what they described as a grave and continuing failure of leadership in protecting lives, communities, and the territorial security of Benue State.
The body observed that the Ayilamo tragedy is not an isolated incident, but rather another devastating chapter in a grim pattern of attacks that has left communities traumatised, families shattered, farmers displaced, and citizens living under the perpetual shadow of armed violence.
In a joint Statement issued on Wednesday by the President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem and the Secretary General, Comrade Junard Abubakar, the body said that the Benue State Police Command confirmed that 11 people were killed in the Ayilamo attack — seven civilians and four Mobile Police officers.
According to them, the slain officers were identified as ASP Paul Ina; Inspector Mohammed Yusuf; Inspector Oge Ikechukwu; and Inspector Edeh Andrew, adding that police reported that their personnel engaged the attackers in a prolonged gun battle before forcing them to retreat into the surrounding forest.
While saluting the courage and sacrifice of the security personnel who paid the ultimate price defending Ayilamo, the group extended their deepest condolences to their families, the families of the slain civilians and the entire Ayilamo community.
The Coalition observed with dismay that for too long, Benue communities have endured a cycle of attacks followed by condemnations, assurances, visits, promises and renewed attacks.
They said: “How many more communities must be attacked? How many more families must bury their loved ones? How many more citizens must be displaced before political accountability becomes unavoidable?’.
They said that constitutional responsibility for national security is shared across levels of government, while they recognised the indispensable role of the Federal Government and federal security agencies.
They said that Governor Hyacinth Alia has repeatedly condemned attacks and called for stronger security measures, yet the recurrence of deadly attacks demands that citizens scrutinise not merely official statements, but the concrete outcomes of the security response.
CONYL demanded an exhaustive investigation into the Ayilamo massacre, insisting that the investigation must establish the identities of all perpetrators, sponsors, collaborators and financiers of the attack, as well as the precise circumstances that enabled the attackers to penetrate and assault the community.
They said: “Whether there were prior intelligence warnings or distress calls and how authorities responded. Whether there were failures of deployment, intelligence-sharing, logistics or command. The recovery and preservation of all relevant evidence; and the immediate arrest and prosecution of every person found culpable, regardless of status or affiliation”.
According to them, there must be no sacred cows, no political protection and no impunity, adding that the lives of seven civilians and four police officers cannot be reduced to another statistic in a press statement.
They said: “CONYL is also deeply concerned by reports surrounding attempts to prevent or obstruct political figures and other well-meaning Nigerians from visiting communities affected by recent attacks to offer condolences and humanitarian solidarity”.
CONYL therefore called for complete transparency regarding any obstruction of humanitarian or solidarity visits, adding that if any government official, political operative, security personnel or private individual unlawfully prevented legitimate humanitarian assistance or solidarity from reaching victims, that conduct must be investigated and, where appropriate, sanctioned.
They said that the people of Benue deserve more than statements after funerals; they deserve security before the bullets arrive, rapid intervention when communities come under attack, accountability after atrocities and a government capable of mobilising every lawful instrument at its disposal to protect them.
The body observed that the Ayilamo massacre has once again demonstrated the terrifying vulnerability of communities in parts of Benue, and Governor Hyacinth Alia should take responsibility for the continuing failure of governance and security outcomes under his administration and resign from office.
They said: “Resignation, in our view, would constitute an acknowledgement that the people of Benue require a new direction in confronting the profound security and humanitarian crisis confronting the people”.
They said: “The bloodshed must end. The impunity must end. The displacement must end. The culture of official condolences without accountability must end”
CONYL will continue to stand with the victims of violence and with communities whose lives and livelihoods have been devastated by insecurity.
The body called on civil society organisations, youth movements, traditional institutions, professional bodies, religious leaders, the media and all Nigerians of conscience to demand accountability, transparency and effective protection of civilian life in Benue State.