The Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) has called on the youths of Benue State to rise in defence of their ancestral lands amid the unrelenting wave of killings in the state, declaring that the time for silence is over.
In a press statement released on Tuesday and signed by its Convener, James Paul Adama, the forum expressed deep alarm over what it described as the “systematic extermination of innocent civilians” in Benue communities, especially following the recent attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area.
“The blood of our brothers and sisters cries out from the ground, and their cries are a deafening condemnation of the inaction and indifference of those in positions of power who have failed to end this carnage,” the group stated.
Lamenting what it called the continued failure of government authorities to protect the lives of Benue citizens, CCYF charged young people in the state to embrace self-defence as a legitimate and necessary response.
“We urge the youths of the state to rise up without delay and defend themselves and their ancestral lands with every ounce of their strength and determination,” the statement read.
While advocating for grassroots mobilization, the youth forum also called on political leaders in Benue to close ranks and unite across party lines to address the worsening security crisis.
“No political goal is worth sacrificing the lives of your people. You must set aside your differences and focus on the task at hand: securing a peaceful and prosperous future for your state.”
The CCYF extended condolences to the families affected by the Yelwata attack and prayed for strength and resilience for the grieving communities. It also urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks and bring them to justice.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Benue State. Justice must not only be done — it must be seen to be done.”
The forum vowed to continue advocating for the protection of vulnerable communities and called on all Nigerians to join hands in condemning and combating violence across the country.
