By:
Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

Governor of Benue State Rev.Fr Hyacinth Alia has expressed the determination of his administration to dealt ruthlessly with those armed bandits hiding in the forests and always fomenting trouble resulting to destruction of lives and properties in the State

Governor Alia stated this on Friday in Makurdi,frowned at destruction of properties and incessant killings of innocents people in Ukum as well as other parts of the local government area of the state, which left his government with no choice but to declare a curfew in the area, said he would not sit back and allow anyone or a group to frustrate the peace of the State and destabilize his government.

The governor stated this during live broadcast to the people on the mayhem visited at Benue North East Senatorial District especially in Ukum and Tse- Ayati

You would recalled that armed men had, on Tuesday night, attacked Ayati village in Ukum local government area, killing 6 people. This led to a peaceful protest in Zaki-Biam on Wednesday, which gave room for bandits who hijacked and wrecked havoc, destroying several properties.

He further described the killings as senseless, extended his sympathies to the families of the victims of the attack, assuring the people of the local government area that he had listened to their cries.

Let me reiterated that I have listened. The mayhem caused by these heinous acts of violence has not gone unnoticed, and I stand with you in condemning these atrocities. Full military intervention has been ordered in the area.”

He said he had already sent his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, who had earlier in the day, visited Ukum local government to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the scenes of destruction, insisting that the destruction of public property only served to compound the challenges and divert resources that would have been used to address the root causes of the crisis.

“Therefore emphasize that while we empathize with the pain and frustration felt, we must channel our energies towards constructive actions. Destruction of public property and chaos only serve to compound our challenges and divert resources that could be better used to address the root causes of these issues.”

According to him, his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all the residents of Benue, disclosing further he has intensified efforts, collaborating with the security agencies, to bring the perpetrators of violent and criminal acts in the state to justice.

He promised that in the coming days, his government will set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem in Ukum, adding that more actions will be taken to demonstrate his unwavering commitment to bring the retrogressive activities in the area to a total end.

However , appealed to the good people of Sankera and its environs to remain calm and exercise restraint, urging them to work together with his government to rebuild and restore peace in their communities, especially as he is committed to addressing their concerns with urgency and diligence.

Despite massive challenges pervading in the State, am undaunted to ensure development reaches every nook and crannies comprising all the twenty three LGAS Councils consequently enjoined various inhabitants to live in peace.