By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State government is to set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the lingering crisis in the Sankera axis of Benue State.
Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed this during his broadcast to Benue people at Government House, Makurdi on Thursday in reaction to the attacked launched on Ayati community in Ukum local government area which resulted in the killing of eleven people and a consequent protest that destroyed public institutions including Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ukum local government and the council’s secretariat, Sankera.
Alia who noted that the protest which started peacefully was “hijacked by bandits and miscreants who had carefully planned to undertake and unleash mayhem on businesses and peace-loving people of Sankera” warned against destruction of public property ad chaos as channels of expressing grievances.
The governor said his administration has deployed adequate security to Sankera to combat the bandits and forestall further attacks.
“I assure you that I have listened. The mayhem caused by these heinous acts of violence has not gone unnoticed and I stand with you in condemning these atrocities. Full military intervention has been ordered. My heart goes out to the three soldiers and two police officers who were wounded in the line of duty protecting lives and properties of citizens in Sankera. They have all been treated and discharged. I had earlier in the day directed the Deputy Governor, who had visited and carried out on-the-spot assessment of the scenes of these devastating destructions.
“Let me for the last time extend our hands of fellowship to all our youths who have chosen to reside in the forests and continually launch attacks on innocent citizens that our administration may no longer guarantee the olive branch extended to them.
“Let us not allow the actions of a few to destabilize us. We will not sit back and allow anyone or a group to frustrate the peace of the State and destabilize the government of Benue State. To this end, our government will in the next few days, set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of this mayhem. Additionally, more actions will be taken to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to bringing these retrogressive activities to a total end”.
