Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the killing of the state Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Risku Mohammed, and ordered an investigation into the incident.
Mr Alia, in a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, described the killing of Mr Mohammed and his friend as shocking and tragic.
The governor said the incident occurred at a time when the state was witnessing a significant return to peace and stability across several local government areas.
He described the attack as a direct attempt to undermine the peace and reconciliation efforts of his administration.
“It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting,” he said.
Mr Alia noted that the killing of any community leader or peace advocate was a setback to the ongoing dialogue among stakeholders aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence in the state.
He directed security agencies to immediately launch a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killings.
The governor also ordered the agencies to ensure that the perpetrators were identified, arrested and prosecuted without delay.
He further directed that security around community leaders involved in peace-building and security engagements be strengthened to prevent similar attacks.
Expressing regret over the incident, Mr Alia appealed to 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 said.
The governor extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and the entire MACBAN community, assuring them that his administration remained committed to sustaining peace across the state.
“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,” he said.