By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has condemned the renewed and sustained attacks on communities, as well as the killing of scores of innocent citizens recently.
He called on security agencies to rise to the challenge by ensuring that perpetrators of the heinous act are brought to justice.
Governor Alia, who was reacting to Sunday’s attack on Gwer-West and Apa Local Government Areas while addressing journalists yesterday in Makurdi, after an emergency security meeting held at the Government House, confirmed that about 12 people were killed in Apa, while 11 lost their lives in Gwer-West Local Government Area with several others sustaining various degrees of life threatening injuries.
He also revealed that from the report he has received so far, it is clear that the number of casualties will increase based on the fact that some victims in critical condition are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The governor, who described as barbaric, the killings, called on the people to remain calm but vigilant, as his administration is working tirelessly to protect lives and property.
He prayed God to console the immediate families of those who lost their loved ones, disclosing that already, a government delegation in company of security personnel and members of the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, and the United High Commission for Refugees have travelled to the two affected local government areas to access the situation with the aim of assisting survivors.
