Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the latest deadly attack on a community in the state, which left several people dead and many others injured. The attack, suspected to be carried out by armed herdsmen, occurred in the early hours of Saturday in a rural settlement in Guma Local Government Area.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia described the attack as “barbaric and unacceptable,” urging security agencies to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators. “This senseless violence against innocent citizens must stop. My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives, and I assure the people of Benue that we will not rest until justice is served,” the governor said.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the state, which has been grappling with recurring clashes between farmers and herdsmen. Local sources reported that the assailants stormed the community, setting houses ablaze and shooting sporadically, leading to widespread panic and displacement.
Governor Alia called for increased security presence in vulnerable communities and reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property. “We are working closely with security agencies to ensure the safety of our people. We will also explore long-term solutions to address the root causes of these conflicts,” he added.
The governor also appealed to the federal government for support in tackling the security challenges facing the state. “Benue is in dire need of federal intervention to end this cycle of violence. We cannot do it alone,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed the incident and assured residents that investigations are ongoing. Spokesperson Catherine Anene said, “We are on top of the situation, and efforts are being made to restore peace and prevent further attacks.”
The attack has sparked outrage among residents and stakeholders, with many calling for urgent action to end the violence. As the community mourns its losses, questions remain about the effectiveness of current security measures in addressing the persistent crisis.