Benue killings death toll hits 72 —Official

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The death toll in the killings in Ukum and Logo Local government areas of Benue State has risen to 72.

Isaac Uzaan, the Principal Special Assistant (PSA), to the Governor on Media and Content Creation who disclosed this in Makurdi on Monday, noted that 13 additional corpses were recovered in the affected areas.

The two areas had come under intense attack by militia herdsmen which led to the death of over 55 persons.

Governor Hyacinth Alia visited the areas to sympathize with the people during which he called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the State to stop the killings.

Governor Alia, who said Benue was under siege called on the people of the state to report suspicious movements to security agencies in the state.

Addressing congregants at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi, after Mass, Governor Alia insisted that security was the prerogative of the people and Benue people have a duty to rise against invaders by being vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security personnel.

Alia further observed that Benue state was under attack and those who are attacking the state have a face as well as a mission to occupy the land, an act he declared as “extremely unacceptable.”

He encouraged the people of the State not to be weighed down by the things happening around them, even as he vowed that he would go to any length to ensure that Benue people experienced peace.

The governor also warned politicians who may have taken advantage of the security situation to desist from such actions, adding that this was not the time to do so.

According to him, “If you hear something, say something, it will enable the security agents to move out there and repel the invaders”.