Benue Fresh Attack: Gov. Alia Welcomes Arrest Of Three Suspects By DSS

By Ayodele Oni

Benue state Governor, Hyacinth Alia has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the prompt and professional operation that led to the arrest of three suspects allegedly connected with the Thursday attack on Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

At least four mobile policemen and eight residents were killed on Thursday night when over 200 armed bandits launched a coordinated attack on Ayilamo, a farming community in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Ayilamo lies along the volatile Abinsi–Tyulen–Anyiin–Wukari Road, a route that has witnessed repeated assaults over the past two years.

According to residents, the attackers entered the community at about 9:30pm from the Alufu axis of Taraba State.

Governor Alia denounced the attack which led to the tragic loss of innocent lives, including four police officers, according to a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula.

The governor described the arrest as a significant step towards uncovering the full circumstances of the incident and bringing those responsible to justice.

He said, “We urge the DSS to intensify its investigation and make the best use of the information obtained from the suspects in its custody.

“The reported killing of four law enforcement officers is particularly painful and underscores the enormous sacrifices being made by security personnel in the line of duty”.

He described it as a disturbing reminder of the persistent insecurity and repeated attacks on vulnerable communities and law-enforcement officers in the area.

Governor Alia said, “I extend heartfelt condolences to the people of Ayilamo, the families of all the victims, and the entire Logo Local Government community. We mourn with you and assure you that you are not alone in this difficult period”.

Governor Alia denounced the attack which led to the tragic loss of innocent lives, including four police officers, according to a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula.

The governor described the arrest as a significant step towards uncovering the full circumstances of the incident and bringing those responsible to justice.

He said, “We urge the DSS to intensify its investigation and make the best use of the information obtained from the suspects in its custody.”

Meanwhile, Campaign for Democracy, (CD) has blamed Alia for continued insecurity in the state, telling him to step aside if he cannot protect life of the people.

CD in a statement by its chairman, Ifeanyi Odilli, stated that “Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of Benue State, swore on oath to protect the lives and property of the people. That sacred covenant is being desecrated daily under his watch.

“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 14(2)(b) is unambiguous: ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.’

” Furthermore, Section 215(4) places on the Governor, as Chief Security Officer of the State, the duty to direct the Commissioner of Police in the maintenance of public order.

“CD holds the incontrovertible view that he possesses both the constitutional powers and political will to halt this carnage.

“The tragic irony is that this same will and energy have been visibly and shamefully deployed by him against political opponents, while defenseless communities are left to be slaughtered, displaced, and buried in mass graves.

“This is a gross violation of his oath of office under the Seventh Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, and amounts to a betrayal of the highest order. This is governance by abdication.

“CD therefore serves him this demand: He must immediately mobilize all security forces, intelligence, and state resources to hunt down, arrest, and prosecute these herder-killers. He must stamp out this terrorism within a reasonable timeframe.

“Anything short of this amounts to complicity and a breach of his constitutional obligations.

“If he lacks the courage, capacity, or will to perform this most basic duty of government, then in the interest of the suffering people of Benue, he should honorably resign his office.

“The people deserve a leader who will defend them, not one who presides over their annihilation.

“In light of this, CD calls on the Benue State House of Assembly to invoke its constitutional powers under Section 188(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

“The Assembly must issue Governor Alia a stern ultimatum and marching order to end these barbaric killings.

“Should he fail, it must commence impeachment proceedings against him for gross misconduct as defined in Section 188(11) for dereliction of duty and for failing to secure the lives of those he swore to protect.”