Gov Alia Orders arrest Of killers of 2 Kano travellers  in Benue 

From Attah Ede Makurdi 

Some Benue youths have reportedly killed two travellers  from Kano State identified as Barhama Suleiman and Jamilu Ahmad  at Agan community in Makurdi local government area of Benue State.

The incident happened on Monday night at about 11:20pm when the victims were traveling from Kano with  Bua cement truck en route to Calabar, Cross River State. 

They, however, lost their lives after they stopped over to buy recharged card in the community along the Makurdi- Lafia federal highway in the state.

The Agan youths attacked and killed the two travellers, alleging that they came to attack their community at that odd hours of the night.

Meanwhile, Benue state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia , has condemned  in strong terms, the killing of two innocent citizens of Nigeria at Agan settlement by criminals.

He described the act as barbaric and unacceptable, declaring that the perpetrators must be fished out and brought to justice with immediate effect.

The governor in a statement by his chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula on Wednesday, said 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 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.

 “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, His Excellency, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, over the tragic and regrettable loss of two of his indigenes. The two Governors spoke closely earlier in the day over this unfortunate incident”, Kula stated.

He appealed for calm and  assured the people of Kano State that justice will be served.

Similarly, Governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf  has strongly condemned the brutal killing of two young Kano indigenes Barhama Suleiman and Jamilu Ahmad in Makurdi, Benue state. 

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa the victims were profiled/attacked at around 11:00 p.m. on Monday  by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums and murdered in cold blood without provocation.

In a strongly worded statement, the Governor of Kano State expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, describing it as “barbaric, senseless, and unacceptable.” 

 He condemned the killings in the strongest terms and assured that the state Government is working assiduously to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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

The Governor also announced that he will personally lead a high-powered delegation, including the families of the deceased, to the funeral prayers scheduled to take place at the National Mosque in Abuja.

While commiserating with the families of the bereaved, the Governor extended sympathy and condolences to prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, who is the father of the  two victims. 

Governor Yusuf, described the loss as not just a tragedy to the families involved, but to Kano State and the entire nation.

“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. 

“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Every citizen has the right to live, move, and thrive in any part of this country without fear of discrimination.