Dozens of villagers gunned down in Benue

The Benue State Governor-Elect, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has condemned in totality what he termed the brutal killings of innocent lives in Umogidi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

No fewer than 46 persons have been reported dead by suspected herdsmen, barely 24 hours after the same village suffered an attack by the suspected herdsmen and three persons were killed.

Fr. Alia made this condemnation on Friday in a statement signed by Donald Kumun, Deputy Director of Communications, Alia/OdeAbuja 2023 Campaign Organization.

He sympathized with the families of the deceased and condoled with them, calling on the Umogidi community and the Benue people as a whole to remain calm and law-abiding amidst their sorrows and pains.

Fr. Alia called on the security agencies to conduct surveillance to identify the perpetrators behind the killings and nip it in the bud for peace to be restored in the communities.

He assured the Umogidi community and others affected by the attacks of his resilience to work with relevant security agencies and communities in the state to stop the “senseless killings” when he is sworn in as the next governor of the state on May 29, 2023.

He further expressed sadness over the killings and called on the government at all levels to be more proactive to quell the insecurity challenges in the state and also stay close to the bereaved families in these trying times.

The Governor-Elect added that his fraternal prayers are with the souls of the deceased to rest in perfect peace, and peace should take prominence in the communities, in the interest of all and sundry.