The governor gave the commendation at the Monthly State Covenant Service held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, as arrangements have been concluded for official opening ceremony of the Niger Delta Sports Festival at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Eno, therefore, implored citizens and residents in the state to be fully involved in the festival.

He stressed the need for adequate maintenance of facilities recently revamped by the interventionist agency and assured successful hosting of the sports festival.

He promised to provide necessary support to ensure safe stay of all participants and tasked the organisers to leverage the peaceful ambiance of the state and make the competition a memorable one.

According to the organisers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected in Uyo today (Wednesday) to declare the festival open, with no fewer than 3,000 athletes from the nine states of the Niger Delta to compete for laurels in 17 sporting events.

The competition will be hosted at six venues, including the Godswill Akpabio international stadium and West Itam Sports Centre, while the closing ceremony is billed for April 9.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that contingents from the nine Niger Delta Development states had arrived Uyo for the festival. (NAN)

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Onuh, of the All Progressives Congress, lamented the incessant attacks and killings in Otukpo in Benue, describing the situation as a “national emergency” that required immediate attention.

She appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending the perpetrators, bringing them to justice and restoring peace to the affected communities.

“The killings in my constituency have reached an outrageous level in recent weeks.

“Every day we witness the senseless murder of innocent people and tragically, it is beginning to feel as though it is normal,” Onuh said.

She claimed that people were being killed and kidnapped repeatedly, yet nothing seemed to be happening to the perpetrators.

“Families mourn their dead, return home, and brace for the next attack by suspected herdsmen,” she added.

Onuh claimed that a retired customs officer, Mr Onche Akatu was brutally murdered a day ago while two members of his family were kidnapped in Asa 2 community, Otukpo Local Government Area.

“Should the dead man now rise to pay ransom for their release? My heart bleeds,” she lamented.

Onuh also said that a nursing mother, Mrs Felicia Ochigbo, was recently slaughtered in the Old NTA Area of Asa community among several other killings in Benue communities.

“As I speak to you now, people are running away from their communities without even knowing if where they are going is even safe.

“Are these killers above the law?

“Why is it so difficult to apprehend them and restore peace so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed?” she queried.

The lawmaker also raised concerns that the fear of violence had forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, adding that the development was worsening food shortages in the region.

Onuh advised the youths against jungle justice or reprisal attacks, emphasising that taking the law into their own hands would only escalate the crisis.

She assured her constituents of her commitment to working closely with political leaders and security agencies to put an end to the heinous acts plaguing her constituency.

“I will engage with political stakeholders and security heads to ensure these atrocities come to an end.

“Our people deserve to live in peace,” she said. (NAN)