Alia condemns killing of Benue MACBAN chairman

Alia condemns killing of Benue MACBAN chairman 

-as police launches full-scale investigation into his death

Fom Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has strongly condemned the killing of state Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Alhaji Ardo Risku and his friend Yakubu Isah.

This is just as the Police said it has launched full investigation into the death to unravel the perpetrators.

Ardo Risku was reportedly ambushed and shot dead in Ukwudu, Igoli, Otukpo local government area while returning from a meeting convened by the Ohimini local government area Divisional Police Officer.

Governor Alia in a statement by his Chuef Press Secretary,, Sir Kula Tersoo, lamented over the heinous act which comes at a particularly sensitive time when the state is witnessing a significant return to peace and stability across various local government areas.

The Governor said the incident is not only a tragedy to the state but also, a direct attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and the atmosphere of reconciliation that his administration has worked tirelessly to foster.

He said, “It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting”.

Alia emphasized that the killing of any community leader or peace advocate is a blow to the ongoing dialogue between various stakeholders in the state.

The Governor therefore, issued a directive to all relevant security agencies to immediately launch a thorough and transparent investigation to uncover the the perpetrators and bring them to justice to serve as a deterrent to others who seek to destabilize the state.

He also directed them to enhance security measures to ensure that community leaders engaging in security and peace-building efforts are protected.

Governor Alia consoled the family of Alhaji Ardo Risku and the entire MACBAN community and urged the general public to remain calm and law-abiding.

“We must not allow those who profit from chaos to succeed in inciting further violence or disrupting the peace we have taken time to build.

“Our administration remains resolute: Benue is a home for peace, and we will not allow the shadows of the past to eclipse the bright future we are currently building”.

Similarly, Benue State Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadogbu who condemned the assassination of the MACBAN chairman in a statement by the Public Relations’ Officer DSP Edet Udeme, described the incident as senseless and criminal that is capable of undermining the peace and security efforts currently being sustained across the state.

Nwadiogbu who also condoled the families of the deceased and all those affected by this tragic loss, assured the public that the command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident.

He also said that the command has deployed tactical and intelligent assets to identify, apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The command will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the culprits are arrested and prosecuted”.

The CP urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands or spreading unverified information capable of escalating tensions.

He further appealed to anyone with credible information that could help with the investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.