Saturday, June 27, 2026 - Benue State Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia has expressed deep shock and sadness over the reported killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku and his friend.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,
Sir Tersoo Kula, said the heinous act came at a sensitive time when the state
is witnessing a significant return to peace and stability across various local
government areas.
Gov Alia viewed the 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,” the statement said.
He emphasized that the killing of any community leader or
peace advocate is a blow to the ongoing dialogue between various stakeholders
in the state.
The governor 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.
He said they should 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 destabilize the state.
While he regretted the 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,”
he was quoted as saying.
The governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the
family of Alhaji 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.”
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