Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia on Thursday night said his administration would soon set up a panel to investigate the recent killings and violence in the state.
The governor also said his government had ordered full military intervention to tackle the security crisis in the state’s troubled Ukum Local Government Area.
Recall that the state government had earlier declared a curfew in the affected local government following violent protests which led to the destruction of personal and government properties.
The protest was triggered by the killing of some people in Ayati village.
But addressing the people during a broadcast on Thursday night, Governor Alia said that his administration was intensifying efforts to collaborate with the security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Alia said the commission of enquiry would be mandated to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem.
The governor said, “The mayhem caused by these heinous acts of violence has not gone unnoticed and I stand with you in condemning these atrocities.
“Full military intervention has been ordered. My heart goes out to the three soldiers and two police officers who were wounded in the line of duty protecting the lives and properties of citizens in Sakara. I am happy to report they have all been treated and discharged.
“I had earlier in the day directed the Deputy Governor, who had visited and carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the scenes of these devastating destructions.
“However, let me clarify that while we empathise with the pain and frustration felt, we must channel our energies towards constructive actions. Destruction of public property and chaos only serves to compound our challenges and divert resources that could be better used to address the root causes of these issues.
“To this end, our government will set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of this mayhem in the next few days.
“Additionally, more actions will be taken to demonstrate my unwavering commitment to bringing these retrogressive activities to a total end.”