From Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The protracted insecurity which has bedevilled the Sankara geopolitical zone in Benue state, and which has whittled down economic and social activities in the area for close to a decade was the concern of the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia who called on leaders of thought in the zone to convene a meeting to dialogue for lasting peace to return in the area.
In a funeral harangue Saturday at the burial of Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Benjamin Fezanga Wombo at the Akume Atongo stadium Katsina-Ala, Gov. Alia decried the spate of killings and kidnappings in the area by bandits which his administration is no longer prepared to condone.
Gov. Alia called on serving and former Senators, House of Representatives Members, traditional as well as other prominent sons in Sankera to convene an emergency meeting immediately to proffer lasting solutions to the insecurity situation in the area and forward the same to him for immediate implementation.
“Abductors of the Caretaker committee chairman of Ukum Local Government Council, Reverend Gideon Haanongon and three others should be released with immediate effect. This administration is ready to engage you to be useful in society, if you refrain from criminal activities”, the governor pointed out.
Governor Alia condoled the family of Chief Wombo over the demise of their father and urged them to be consoled by the fact that he lived a fulfilled life.
Earlier, The Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen. George Akume called for collective responsibility from all stakeholders to move the state forward.
Represented by Sen. Jack Gyado, the SGF called on all Sankera sons and daughters of goodwill to ensure peace returns to the axis which is the hub of food production in the state.
Condoling the Wombo family over the death of their head and the people of Katsina-Ala, Sen. Akume pledged the Federal Government’s support to ensure development in Benue State and the return of peace.
A prominent son of Sankera and the immediate past Senator for Benue North-East, Sen. Gabriel Suswam, called on all Benue sons of the Sankera axis to work together for peace and unity to return to the axis.
“Time has come for the Sankara axis to be sanitised from all forms of criminality for people to exercise their fundamental human rights of free movement from one place to another. We were known to be the food hub of the state and needs peace to improve on-farm produce, and also to enhance the state and nation’s GDP”, Sen. Suswam said.
