On Thursday and Friday, suspected herdsmen attacked towns in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas, killing 55 people. Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed the news.
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This was announced by Governor Alia on Saturday during his visit to the areas hit by the attacks, when he assessed the damage firsthand.
An “unprovoked invasion” was what the governor called it, and he warned the natives who were helping the invaders would be punished severely.
He reassured the populace that the state administration was working to resolve the long-standing security threats to regional stability.
Although Governor Alia acknowledged that the Benue people were capable and willing to defend themselves, he warned them against doing it on their own. Please do not interfere with the work of our security forces; I implore our citizens not to do so.
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“Approximately 27 lives were lost in Logo, and 28 in Ukum,” he reported. He commended the security forces for their brave and rapid reaction to the attacks and emphasized the need of their ongoing regional vigilance.
The governor also thanked Chief David Sev-Av, who served as Tor Sankera, for taking charge during a critical situation. To avoid making matters worse, he urged the traditional monarch to forbid his subjects from retaliatory attacks.
Governor Alia cautiously expressed optimism, saying that the struggle against insecurity, particularly in Benue State, would hopefully reach a turning point with the revitalized national security strategy under President Bola Tinubu.
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