Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, has directed security agencies to deploy additional personnel to Saii and surrounding communities in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of the state to prevent further incursions by terrorists and armed herdsmen.
He also directed the agencies to launch a manhunt for the perpetrators of the attack on Saii community, where innocent people were killed and several others injured.
Governor Alia said those who carried out the heinous crime must be arrested and brought to justice. He urged security agencies to ensure the safety of farmers as they tend to their crops and guarantee that agricultural activities are not further disrupted.
He called on residents to remain calm and urged vigilantes to report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest security post.
Governor Alia said his administration would ensure that peace is fully restored to all parts of the community, describing the attack as a senseless assault on innocent citizens.
He condemned the incident, describing it as a cowardly and unacceptable act of violence, particularly at a time when farmers had returned to their ancestral lands to cultivate their farms.
Governor Alia extended his deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident, saying he shared in their grief and in the pain of those currently receiving medical treatment. He also prayed for the victims’ full recovery.
He urged the people of Katsina Ala and the general public not to be discouraged, assuring them that his administration remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods.
Governor Alia assured residents that the government would not allow the forces of darkness to drive people from their ancestral lands or dampen their spirit as it works to build a Benue where peace and justice prevail.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, was allegedly carried out by terrorists masquerading as herdsmen, leaving many people dead and several others injured.
