Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has condemned the killing of two indigenes of Kano State in the Agan settlement of the state by criminals.

Describing the act as barbaric and unacceptable, Alia declared that the perpetrators must be fished out and brought to justice with immediate effect.

“To this end, already, five criminals have been swiftly apprehended in Makurdi by the police command in the state over this incident, following the Governor’s earlier directives to the Commissioner of Police and other relevant security operatives to ensure that criminals who committed the heinous crime are arrested,” the governor’s chief press secretary Tersoo Kula said in a statement.

“The governor is deeply saddened by the deaths of two men identified as indigenes of Kano State who were travelling through the state but were brutally attacked and murdered by criminals.

He said, “Benue people are known for their hospitality and peaceful disposition. We cannot allow some criminal elements to tarnish our image and create a contrary image for our people. These criminals MUST be fished out immediately and made to face the full wrath of the law”.

The governor extended his heartfelt condolences to his Kano State counterpart, Abba Yusuf, over the tragic and regrettable loss of two of his indigenes.

Both governors also spoke closely about the incident, with the Benue governor calling for calm.

Alia assured the people of Kano State that justice would be served.

Kano Gov Condemns Incident

Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has condemned the attack as “barbaric, senseless, and unacceptable.”

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of two promising sons of Kano,” the governor said. “They were innocent, peace-loving citizens whose only crime was exercising their constitutional right to live and work in any part of Nigeria.”

Describing the act as “an affront to the nation’s unity and peace,” the governor reaffirmed his administration’s determination to seek justice for the victims and their families.

“This government will not rest until justice is served. We call for calm and restraint as we work closely with security agencies at all levels and the Benue State Government to bring the murderers to justice,” he said. (Channels TV, excluding headline)