The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has commiserated with the people of Benue State, particularly families of the victims of the Yelewata killing where more than 200 people lost their lives to attack by armed militia.
In a press statement personally signed by him, Senator Akume described the killings across the state as “mindless bloodletting” which are both disheartening and utterly condemnable.
According to him, “this latest reprehensible act — one among too many — is not merely a tragedy for Benue; it is a deep wound to the soul of our nation.
“These dastardly acts are not restricted to Benue state alone. Plateau and Zamfara states also suffer the same fate. These killings are economic deterministic, not religious driven.
“The innocent lives lost: men, women, and children — will not be forgotten. We mourn them not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters, bound together by a shared humanity and a common destiny”.
Beyond mourning, the SGF called on all sons and daughters of Benue, leaders, traditional institutions, and key stakeholders to urgently come together and forge a path towards lasting peace and security in the state.
“We must rise above division and act decisively to protect our people and preserve our future,” he counseled
Akume expeessed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift directive for a full security operation to rid Benue of killers and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He also noted that the Federal Government has rendered assistance through NEMA, while more troops have been deployed to Benue state to handle the explosive situation.
On his part as a son of the soil and a key stakeholder, the SGF assured that he will not relent in consulting, mobilizing, and coordinating all necessary efforts to find and implement a durable solution, as he is doing the same for all the other affected states.
“As believers, Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, we believe in the sanctity of human lives. Any single life lost offends the sensibility of God Almighty. All of us must live as brothers and sisters in peace and harmony.
“I extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families and the resilient people of Benue. In this dark hour, we stand with you. And we will not rest until justice speaks, – loudly, clearly, and without delay.
“May the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace, and may peace return to the land of Benue,” he concluded.
