Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has promised amnesty for all repentant criminals.

The governor made the promise when he visited the Akpuuna community in the Ukum Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.

On July 4, gunmen attacked and killed 24 persons in the community.

The governor, who commiserated with the affected families, promised that his administration would do everything possible to tackle criminality in the state.

Mr Alia also reiterated his administration’s resolve to rehabilitate and reintegrate all criminals unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens.

”If these criminals will wholeheartedly repent and choose a life free of crime, we will rehabilitate them and reintegrate them into society.

He added, ”That way, they will become more useful to themselves, their families and society, and our people can sleep with their eyes closed,” he said.

Mr Alia, who stressed his administration’s readiness to promote peaceful coexistence at all levels, warned that anyone fueling insecurity and violence would face the full wrath of the law.

He also warned traditional rulers who harbour criminals in their domains to desist from the act, adding that anyone caught would not be spared.

Earlier, the district head of Akpuuna, John Kungwa, thanked the governor for the visit and described the killings as a ploy to grab their ancestral lands.

Mr Kungwa, who commended community residents for resisting the criminals, said the killings came days after they had received threats from faceless persons.

The governor was accompanied on the visit by heads of security agencies and other top government functionaries in the state. 

(NAN)