Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has warned bandits launching attacks on innocent citizens of Sankara and environs that his administration may no longer guarantee the olive branch extended to them.
The governor, who reacted to the recent killings and destruction of properties in the Ukum local government area by suspected local bandits, said that his administration would not in any way sit back and allow the actions of anyone or group to frustrate the peace and destabilise the government of the state.
He said, “Let me for the last time extend our hands of fellowship to all our youths who have chosen to reside in the forests and continually launch attacks on innocent citizens that our administration may no longer guarantee the olive branch extended to them again.”
While appealing to the people of Sankara and its environs to remain calm and exercise restraint, the governor said his government would set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem in the next few days.
“In addition, more actions will be taken to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to bringing these retrogressive activities to a total end.
“I address you today with a heavy heart, deeply saddened by the recent events in Ukum LG, the unprovoked and senseless killing of six innocent lives by bandits has left us all in mourning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this difficult time.
“Since the advent of our administration, several efforts have been made to eliminate the activities of bandits. With the combined efforts of our security agencies, most of them have been pushed back from their handouts, and subsequently, two were neutralized. Items recovered from them include seven motorcycles, two English pistols, a Toyota Camry, a commercial tricycle, and lots of charms,” he noted.
He said, “The killing of six persons at Ayati, is a reprisal attack by the bandits who believed members of that community were responsible for giving information on their operations, locations and handouts to security agents, and the killings led to the initial protest by angry and frustrated family members which was later hijacked by the same bandits that led to the destruction of private and public properties.”
Governor Alia, who informed that full military intervention has been ordered in the area, also said he commiserated with the five security personnel who were wounded in the course of protecting lives and properties, even as he informed that they have all been treated and discharged.
The governor said, “I want to assure you that I have listened; the mayhem caused by these heinous acts of violence has not gone unnoticed, and I stand with you in condemning these atrocities.”
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