Governo Hyacinth Alia said his administration would set up a commission of inquiry to probe the recent security breach in  UKum LGA.

Mr Alia disclosed this during a state broadcast on Friday in Makurdi and said that his administration had exhausted its patience with bandits in Benue.

Bandits had on Tuesday night attacked Ayati village in Ukum, killing six.

The killings led to a peaceful protest in Zaki-Biam on Wednesday, destroying public and private property. 

The governor said full military action had been declared to tackle the menace of armed bandits terrorising the Sankera axis. He said more actions would be taken to demonstrate his commitment to bring retrogressive activities in the area to a total end.

He said he would no longer guarantee the olive branch he had extended to them in the past.

Mr Alia, who expressed sadness over the entire incident, said he had no choice but to declare a curfew in the area. He said that his administration would not sit back and would not allow anyone or a group to frustrate the peace of the state and destabilise his government.

The governor described the killings as senseless and extended his sympathies to the families of the victims of the attack, assuring them that he had listened to their cries.

“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,” he said.

Deputy Governor Sam Ode had already visited Ukum for an on-the-spot assessment of the scenes of destruction.

Mr Alia said the destruction of public property would compound the challenges and divert resources that would have been used to address the root causes of the crisis.

“Let me emphasise that while we empathise with the pain and frustration felt, we must channel our energies towards constructive actions,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Benue residents. He said efforts have been intensified in collaboration with security agencies to bring the perpetrators of violent and criminal acts in the state to justice.

The governor appealed to the good people of Sankera and its environs to remain calm and exercise restraint. He urged them to work with his government to rebuild and restore peace in their communities, promising to address their concerns with urgency and diligence.

(NAN)