…calls for arrest, prosecution
By Onwa Ekor
The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has described as barbaric and completely unacceptable, the gruesome murder of an innocent young man from Tsar community in Benue, who was brutally attacked and killed by irate youths in Obudu local government area of Cross River.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar, the Cross River capital, the pained Jarigbe, explained that the victim was an unarmed civilian going about his lawful business and had no connection with the ongoing communal tensions.
“His murder is a tragic and unjustifiable crime that must be met with the full wrath of the law.
“I call on the security agencies, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), to immediately take decisive action to
apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act and ensure they face the full wrath of the law,” the Senator said.
He also called for the deployment of additional security personnel to the affected areas to prevent further escalation while protecting innocent lives.
He advocated for an engagement of community leaders from both Obudu and Tsar to de-escalate tensions and foster dialogue for lasting peace, stressing that, the communal clash must not extend beyond the disputed areas.
According to Jarigbe, “our people in Cross River North and Benue have lived together for generations, engaging in marriage, 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,” the lawmaker stated.
While consoling the deceased family, he assured the people of Tsar Community and all residents of Cross River North, that he would work tirelessly with relevant stakeholders to ensure justice is served and peace restored.
