Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has expressed strong condemnation over the brutal murder of two travellers from Kano State who were attacked while passing through Agan community on the outskirts of Makurdi, Benue State. The two victims were reportedly targeted by criminals during their transit.
Describing the crime as “barbaric and unacceptable,” Governor Alia has called for swift action in bringing the perpetrators to justice. A statement issued on Tuesday evening by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, revealed that the Governor had already directed local security agencies to ensure the immediate apprehension of those responsible.
According to the statement, five individuals connected to the attack have already been arrested by the Benue State Police Command, following the Governor’s explicit instructions to the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to intensify their efforts.
“The Governor is deeply saddened by the deaths of these two men, who were merely passing through the state but fell victim to senseless violence,” the statement reads.
In a bid to reassure the public, Governor Alia emphasised Benue’s well-known reputation for hospitality and peace, stating that criminal activities of such nature must not be allowed to tarnish the state’s image. He declared, “We cannot allow some criminal elements to tarnish our image and create a contrary narrative for our people. These criminals must be fished out immediately and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Governor Alia extended his condolences to the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for the tragic loss and confirmed that the two leaders had earlier spoken about the incident. Alia further appealed for calm and assured the people of Kano that justice would be served swiftly.
The murder of these two travellers underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by various states in Nigeria. Governor Alia’s call for justice and swift law enforcement action reflects the urgency surrounding the fight against such criminal activities.
