Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has expressed shock and sadness over the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Alhaji Ardo Risku, and his friend.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia said the attack came at a sensitive time when the state was recording a return to peace in several local government areas.
The governor described the incident as both a tragedy and a direct attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and reconciliation his administration had worked to foster. “It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting,” he said.
Other News
He noted that killing any community leader or peace advocate is a blow to ongoing dialogue between stakeholders. Alia directed all relevant security agencies to launch a thorough and transparent investigation immediately. “They must leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice swiftly to deter others who seek to destabilize the state,” he said. He also urged them to enhance security for community leaders involved in peace-building.
While regretting the setback, he urged MACBAN members and the public to remain calm and law-abiding. “We must not allow those who profit from chaos to succeed in inciting further violence or disrupting the peace we have taken time to build,” he said.
He extended condolences to Risku’s family and the entire MACBAN community, pledging that “our administration remains resolute: Benue is a home for peace, and we will not allow the shadows of the past to eclipse the bright future we are currently building.”
