Governor Hyacinth Alia has expressed deep shock and sadness over the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Ardo Risku and his friend.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula said the heinous act came at a particularly sensitive time when the state is witnessing a significant return to peace and stability across various local government areas.
The Governor views this incident not only as a tragedy to the state but as a direct attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and the atmosphere of reconciliation that his administration has worked tirelessly to foster.
“It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting,” he noted.
He emphasised that the killing of any community leader or peace advocate is a blow to the ongoing dialogue between various stakeholders in the state.
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The Governor therefore, issued a clear and firm directive to all relevant security agencies to;
- Launch a thorough and transparent investigation immediately to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing.
- To leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of the heinous act and bring them to justice swiftly to serve as a deterrent to others who seek to destabilise the state.
- Enhance security measures to ensure that community leaders engaging in security and peace-building efforts are protected.
While he regrets this setback, he urged all members of MACBAN and 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,” Alia added.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ardo Risku and the entire MACBAN community.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner Of Police, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu says the command has launched a full-scale investigation into the brutal murder of the MACBAN chairman, Ardo Risku and one Yakubu Isa who were reportedly attacked by unknown assailants while returning from a security meeting along Okwudu Ogoli road in Otukpo LGA of Benue State.
The command in a statement by its public relations officer, DSP Udeme Edet disclosed that tactical and intelligent assets have been deployed to identify, apprehend, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The command said it will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the culprits are arrested and prosecuted.
Udem sees the unfortunate incident as a senseless and criminal act that is capable of undermining the peace and security efforts currently being sustained across the state.
While expressing deep concern over the incident the CP extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and all those affected by this tragic loss.
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 the investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.
The Benue State Police Command said it remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are brought to book.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
