…Orders thorough investigation
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has expresses deep shock and sadness over the reported killing of the Benue State Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku and his friend, saying the heinous act came at a particularly sensitive time when the state is witnessing a significant return to peace and stability across various local government areas.
The Governor noted that the incident is not only a tragedy to the state but also a direct attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and the atmosphere of reconciliation that his administration has worked tirelessly to foster.
“It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting,” he said, emphasizing that the killing of any community leader or peace advocate is a blow to the ongoing dialogue between various stakeholders in the state.
According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the Governor, therefore, issued a clear and firm directive to all relevant security agencies to not only launch a thorough and transparent investigation immediately to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing but to also leave no stone unturned in fishing out perpetrators of the heinous act and bringing them to justice swiftly to serve as a deterrent to others who seek to destabilize the state as well as enhance security measures to ensure that community leaders engaging in security and peace-building efforts are protected.
While he regretted this setback, he urged all members of MACBAN and the general 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 cautioned, even as he extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Ardo Risku and the entire MACBAN community, assuring 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.”
