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Press Release:
Kpereche Massacre: This Callous Killing of Bassa People Must Stop.
Today, while others were preparing to witness another anniversary of our Nation’s 19 years uninterrupted democracy, terror was unleashed on harmless and peaceful Bassa people of Kpereche village in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
We condemn this callous act of genocide by those who over time have proven to the world that violence is their trade.
Reports have it that armed robbers attacked the village in early hours of today breaking shops while shooting sporadically in the air, the villagers in the process confronted the robbers, sadly the son of the chief of the village was shot dead, the village was turned into mourning while efforts was being made to catch up with the assailants.
Shockingly, the Egburas turned around and started burning and killing the Bassas in a manner that remain rather strange, safe for the obvious reason of the harboured animosity against the Bassa people which can only be traced to the ongoing crisis in some parts of kogi and Nasawara States between Bassas and Egburas which the government are making assiduous efforts to curtail.
As we speak, we have record of over 12 persons confirmed dead among whom are Hon. Audu Yusuf Kaura, immediate past Bassa youth leader in Katona karfe, Mr Amodu and Mr Dogwo Shado who was killed with his wife and 4 children, many others injured are currently being attended to while the whereabouts of a host of others remain unknown.
Today is no less a day of mourning for the Bassa Nation. May God comfort us all.
It is to be noted that by our press release of 18/5/17, we drew the attention of relevant authorities to reckless calls for National war by the Egbura Youth movement led by its spokesman Yahaya Toto, the events of today would clearly show the intent of the Egburas to unleash mayhem on the Bassa people wherever they are found in furtherance of the proclaimed national war by the Egburas.
It must be noted that no race, tribe or community has a monopoly of violence but the Bassa nonetheless have chosen the path of peace even in the ongoing unprovoked attacks unleashed on our people.We are saddened by these blood bath going on in our land unchecked.
We are calling on the government to immediately address this situation by effecting arrest on the perpetrators including those whose comments are inimical to calls for peace like the Egburas as contained in their press release of
17/5/18.
We are calling on the government to further expand the scope of the currently constituted judicial panel of inquiry to include Kpereche crisis to bringing about lasting peace in the community.
We are calling on all and sundry to prevail on the Egburas to embrace peace, this is because violence has never been the best option in resolving any dispute. We must therefore embrace peace.
We are appealing to our people to remain resolute in the pursuit for peace, while we are hopeful of Justice.
We condole with all the people of kpereche and its environs, Kogi LGA and indeed the Bassa Nation on this mammoth loss of lives and properties.
We are calling on the government to immediately come to the aid of our people who have been displaced, some in hospitals some even in the bushes as we speak. Security should be beefed up in this area to avoid further attacks.
May God continue to avenge for us all.
Thank you.
– Benjamin Sekpe
Secretary, Bassa Cultural Youth Organization (BCYO).
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