Benue Govt to investigate Ukum protest, sets up commission of enquiry

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

Benue State Go Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyicenth Alia has disclosed that  a commission of enquiry will be set up by  the state government to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violent protest that took place in Ukum local government of the state.

Alia made the disclosure on Thursday night during a live broadcast on the mayhem that occured in Ukum local government area, reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety of all residents of the state.

He vowed not to sit back and allow anyone or a group of persons to frustrate the peace of the State and destabilize government activities.

The governor  sympathized  with victims of the attack, said government was intensifying efforts in collaborating with security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the violent and criminal acts to justice as well as  work on preventive measures to ensure such  incident does not reoccur.

Governor revealed that combined  security agents had raided the  hidout  of bandits in Ukum and subsequently neutralized two bandits, recovered seven motorcycle, two English pistols, a Toyota camry, and commercial tricycle and lots of charms.

He explained that as a reprisal, some bandits hit some soft target and killed six civilians at Ayati in Ukum, believing that the members of  Ayati community were responsible for giving information on their operations and hidouts.

The governor further explained that the action led to an initial protest of anger and frustration by family members and women regarding the killings of their loved ones on the Ayati-Sai road down to Sankera but Regretted that the  peaceful protests was hijacked by bandits and miscreants who had carefully planned to undertake and unleash mayhem on businesses and peace-loving people of Sankera.

He appealed to the people of Sankera and its environs to remain calm and exercise restraint,  emphasized that his administration  for the last time, extends hands of fellowship to all youths who have chosen to reside in the forests and continually launch attacks on innocent citizens.

He stressed that his government was running out of patience and shall no longer guarantee the olive leaf branch extended to them.

Nigerian NewsDirect reports that representative of Kastina-Ala, Ukum, Logo federal constituency, Solomon Wombo who was at the broadcast, thanked governor Alia for the steps taken to restore calm in the area promising to collaborate with government to find lasting solution to the insecurity in the constituency.

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