-gives Chiefs 7 days to produce criminals
By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the criminal attack on cattle traders which occurred on an accident scene at Nyihemba community, Jato-Aka in Kwande local government area.
The Governor made the condemnation during a peace meeting at Jato-Aka Council Hall Friday, when a delegation of the State government, stakeholders of the local government, and the representative of the Association, met to find amicable solution to the sad incident.
The traders, members of Cow Dealers Cooperative Society, Katsina-Ala chapter, were said to have been attacked by persons suspected to be locales somewhere around Nyihemba community while on transit to the east with cows, bags of Rice, and live goats.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Joseph Alkali, expressed sadness over the attack, and directed that the Chiefs who are custodians of the communities to identify and produce the criminals believe to be youths within the communities within 7 days.
The governor pledged to mitigate the losses suffered by the traders, including the two cattle traders that lost their lives in the cause of the heinous act.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon Fidelis Unongo who hails from the area and was part of the state government delegation, also expressed disappoinment for such act to have taken place in a region that is already benefiting so much from the Governor’s innovative administration.
In a remark, the Secretary, Cow Dealers Cooperative Society, Katsina-Ala local government Chapter, Alhaji. Muniru Bawa, said out of the members on the truck, two were killed while eleven others are still missing.
The Mue-Ter Ichongo, Chief Baver, who confirmed the report, regretted the incident. He promised that the community will support the local security agencies on ground to ensure justice is done.
