awardman
According to reports in The Daily Post, a Catholic missionary priest, Rev. Fr. Kelvin Ugwu, has publicly urged the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to take decisive action against the perpetrators of recent killings in the state. His appeal comes in the wake of a brutal attack on Sunday in the Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas, where suspected armed herders reportedly killed at least 43 people. This incident occurred just a week after similar attacks in the same region.
Fr. Ugwu expressed his disappointment via a Facebook post on Tuesday, highlighting the high expectations placed on Governor Alia due to his religious background, despite his suspension as a priest. He criticized the governor’s frequent social media announcements detailing the number of casualties from such attacks, suggesting a need for a more proactive approach focused on apprehending the culprits.
Referencing a past event, Fr. Ugwu stated directly, “In the same way you intercepted Obi’s entrance to Benue, you can also do the same to these people killing your people. That is if you want to.” This statement implies that Governor Alia possesses the authority and capability to prevent unwanted entries into the state and should apply the same resolve to stop the ongoing violence.
Fr. Ugwu emphasized the desire of the Benue people for Governor Alia to move beyond simply reporting the tragedies and instead focus on concrete actions that demonstrate a commitment to protecting lives and ensuring justice for the victims. His message calls for a shift from reactive announcements to proactive interventions to curb the persistent violence plaguing the state.
