A former Benue State governorship aspirant in under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Aondohemba Ityoachimin, has condemned the killing in Benue communities by suspected herdsmen and urged the government to rise to the challenge of ensuring lasting peace.
In an Easter message yesterday he said he stood in solidarity with the long-suffering Benue people, stressing that the dawn of peace and progress would break through the clouds of adversity.
Ityoachimin, a former Director of Lands Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, said, “It is out of grave concern that I reach out to you with a message of hope during this difficult time of great hardship and uncertainty, occasioned by growing insecurity of lives and properties of our people.
“The pain and fear caused by the unprovoked attacks on defenseless communities of the state by herdsmen militia and the growing threats to life have greatly shaken our communities, but I know that we are a strong, courageous and above all, a peaceful people with an unwavering spirit that cannot be broken.
“As a committed son of the soil, I have acknowledged the immense challenges we have been through, and I send my deepest thoughts and prayers for the safety and well-being of all of us in Benue.
“The primary responsibility of any responsible government is the protection of lives and properties of the citizenry. I therefore, call on the government, both at the local, state and federal levels as well as the international community to as a matter of urgency, rise up to the challenge of ensuring lasting peace for our people,” Ityoachimin said.
