Protesters under the aegis of the Vanguard Against Tiv Massacre (VATM), yesterday, stormed the National Assembly to protest the recent killings by herdsmen in Buruku local government area and other parts of Benue State.
Carrying banners and placards with inscriptions like, “It’s only in Nigeria that cows are more important than humans;” “We voted you to protect us, not watch us killed-take action,” among others. The protesters took over the main entrance of the National Assembly, hindering legislators, staff and visitors from driving into the complex.
The protesters who were dressed in black and white ange Tiv attire rebuffed attempts by two members of the House of Representatives, Hon Diri Douye and Hon Mojeed Alabi who the speaker, Yakubu Dogara sent to address them, insisting that only the speaker or president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki should address them.
Hon Douye assured them that the Speaker would be informed of their position.
“We were sent here by the Speaker and when the leadership of the National Assembly sends lawmakers and not a staff of the National Assembly, it means they are here too. But there is no reason for us to go back and forth, we will simply take your message back to the Speaker,” he said.
Co-convener of VATM, Terso Akula, while speaking to journalists, stressed that the protesters will not leave the premises until they are addressed by the Speaker or the Senate President.
Akula who accused the federal government of turning a blind eye to the mayhem unleashed on Benue indigenes warned that communities in Benue State may resort to protecting themselves owing to the silence from the federal government.
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. . . Protesters Storm NASS Over Killings
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