Gov Alia sad over Ogboju attack, says bandits must pay for their crime

Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has expressed grief over the attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju by suspected armed herders in the early hours of Tuesday.

Alia, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, and issued to newsmen in Makurdi, said the bandits must pay for their crime against the peaceful people of the state.

The governor, however, appreciated the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police, led by Commissioner of Police (CP) Cletus Nwadiogbu, for its swift response, which resulted in the neutralisation of two armed bandits in the area suspected to have taken part in the unfortunate incident.

He lamented that scores of people had been killed, while many others sustained varying degrees of injury, as suspected armed herders launched yet another attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

The statement read: “Following reports of the incident, men of the Benue State Police Command deployed their men to trace the armed bandits.

“A fire exchange occurred as the police closed in on the bandits, and two of the bandits, who were apparently manned to provide cover for the others to escape, got neutralized.”

The governor said his administration would continue to support the security agencies to ensure those who attack the state are spoken to in the language they understand.

“Benue land is for Benue people. Those who think they can come and push the people away and takeover should think twice.

“Our people are peaceful, hardworking and peaceful. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legitimately possible to ensure my people are protected, and our land is secured.”