By Kamil Opeyemi
The Benue State Governor-Elect, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has condemned in totality what he termed the brutal killings of innocent lives in Umogidi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
No fewer than 46 persons have been reported dead by suspected herdsmen, barely 24 hours after the same village suffered an attack by the suspected herdsmen and three persons were killed.
Fr. Alia made the condemnation on Friday in a statement signed by Donald Kumun, Deputy Director of Communications, Alia/OdeAbuja 2023 Campaign Organization.
He tasked security agencies to find the perpetrators behind the killings in the community.
He sympathised with the families of the deceased and condoled with the entire community over the killing.
Alia urged members of the community and the entire state to remain calm and law-abiding.
He promised to collaborate with communities and security agencies to end killings in the state on his assumption of office on May 29.
“I am saddened over the killings and I call on the government at all levels to be more proactive to address the security challenges in the state.
“Government should also stay close to the bereaved families in these trying times.
“My fraternal prayers are with the souls of the deceased to rest in perfect peace, and peace should take prominence in the communities, in the interest of all and sundry,” he said