Gov Alia Confirms 56 Bodies Recovered After Easter Attacks
The Venue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, says that 56 bodies have so far been recovered in Ugondo, Logo, Tyuluv and Gbagir in Ukum Local Government Areas of the following the coordinated attacks on the communities by suspected armed herdsmen.
The Venue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, says that 56 bodies have so far been recovered in Ugondo, Logo, Tyuluv and Gbagir in Ukum Local Government Areas of the following the coordinated attacks on the communities by suspected armed herdsmen.
Alia spoke when he visited Logo and Ukum LGAs on Saturday for an on-the-spot assessment of the scenes after the attacks on Friday night.
The governor noted that what bordered him most was that soldiers had been stationed in some parts of the affected areas in the last 12 years but the attacks have not abated
“What borders me again is that we have soldiers in this axis for 12 years and the attacks have not abated at any point in time," he said.
He told reporters during an interview after the inspection, that 56 corpses have so far, been recovered in Logo and Ukum after the attacks, adding that there was a possibility of the figure increasing in Ukum because search was still ongoing.
The governor regretted that his people were strategically attacked at the beginning of the farming season to hinder them from farming, pointing out that urgent action must be taken to address the ugly situation.
His words, “Early hours of today, we understood that more bodies were being picked up in Logo Local Government Area, resulting to 27 corpses.
“So we lost 27 lives in Logo Local Government Area.
“And then many more were picked up in some axis in Ukum and those for now are 29.
“Many more are surely expected because as we went there they were asking for some 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 added, even as he further commended the security agencies for their sacrifices and urged them to ensure that Benue State has peace, even 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.
Meanwhile, the Chairmen, Logo Local Government Council, Clement Ungwachikar and Mue Ter Ugondo, Chief Peter Iorhuna, have commended the governor for his swift response in coming to identify with them over the attacks.
“What borders me again is that we have soldiers in this axis for 12 years and the attacks have not abated at any point in time," he said.
He told reporters during an interview after the inspection, that 56 corpses have so far, been recovered in Logo and Ukum after the attacks, adding that there was a possibility of the figure increasing in Ukum because search was still ongoing.
The governor regretted that his people were strategically attacked at the beginning of the farming season to hinder them from farming, pointing out that urgent action must be taken to address the ugly situation.
His words, “Early hours of today, we understood that more bodies were being picked up in Logo Local Government Area, resulting to 27 corpses.
“So we lost 27 lives in Logo Local Government Area.
“And then many more were picked up in some axis in Ukum and those for now are 29.
“Many more are surely expected because as we went there they were asking for some 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 added, even as he further commended the security agencies for their sacrifices and urged them to ensure that Benue State has peace, even 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.
Meanwhile, the Chairmen, Logo Local Government Council, Clement Ungwachikar and Mue Ter Ugondo, Chief Peter Iorhuna, have commended the governor for his swift response in coming to identify with them over the attacks.
What's Your Reaction?
