Benue Killings in Easter, 56 Bodies Recovered – Gov Alia confirmed

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has revealed that 56 bodies have been recovered in Ugondo, Logo and Tyuluv, Gbagir in Ukum Local Government Areas following the attacks and killings in the communities by suspected armed herdsmen.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday after visiting Logo and Ukum on Friday night, Governor Alia confirmed that so far 56 bodies have been recovered after the attacks.

He said there was a possibility of increase in figure because search is still ongoing in Ukum. He lamented that his people were strategically attacked at the beginning of the farming season to hinder them from farming.

Alia said urgent action must be taken to address the reoccurrence of the ugly development. Saying that early hours the day, more bodies were being picked up in Logo LGA resulting to 27 corpses. “So, we lost 27 lives in Logo LGA and many more were picked up in Ukum axis counting to 29 as the time of speaking. 

“Many more are surely expected because as we went there they were asking for protection to get back to see how they can retrieve some bodies. “So the numbers might even go up. “So far, we are talking about 56 lives lost in just one night. “This is quite devastating. “The Federal Government’s support is very enormous.

“The security teams have been working seriously non-stop.  “But for this to still happen, something drastic, something strategic has to come to play.

“How can you explain that two months ago we came to this town and people were quite settled and overnight there were calculated, planned, targeted attacks.

“I’m calling on the Federal Government to support us, to come to our aid and promptly too.  “We simply need the support and help of the Federal Government immediately.”

Alia further commended the security agencies for their sacrifices to ensure that Benue State has peace, adding that there was every need for more reinforcements.

The governor sympathised with the families that lost their loved ones as a result of the attacks, and promised to take care of their burial and medical bills of those in the hospital.

The member representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency, Prince Solomon Wombo, said though the military were in the constituency for 12 years, there were still attacks and killings.

Wombo lamented the insecurity situation in the area and appealed to the Federal Government to establish a military barracks in the area to protect his constituents from armed herdsmen and bandits.