From Henry Ibya Makurdi

 Benue State governor-elect Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has condemned in totality the brutal killings of innocent people of Umogidi community of Entekpa-Adoka district in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state by suspected herdsmen where 46 persons have been reportedly slaughtered.
Father Alia who made the condensation while reacting to the killings in a statement signed by a deputy director communications and public affairs in the defunct Alia/ Ode campaign organization Mr Donald Kumun,made available to Aljazirah Nigeria yesterday, in Makurdi, expressed worry that the killings happened barely 24 hours after the same village an Idoma – speaking community had suffered a similar attack where  three person’s were killed on the  spot and their remains were being prepared for burial.
The Benue governor-electe sympathized with the families of the deceased and condoled with them, calling on the Umogidi community and the Benue people as a whole to remain calm and law-abiding amidst their sorrows and pains.
Father Alia who urged security agencies to conduct surveillance to identify the perpetrators behind the killings and nip it in the bud for peace to be restored in the communities, however, assured the Umogidi community and others affected by the attacks of his resilience to work with relevant security agencies and communities in the state to stop the senseless killings when he is sworn in as the next governor of the state on May 29.
While expressing deep sadness over the killings the Benue governor-elect called on the government at all levels to be more proactive in its efforts to handle  insecurity challenges in the state.
He equally sent his heart felt condolences to the bereaved and identified with the families that lost their loved ones during the attack,adding that his fraternal prayers are with the souls of the deceased and wished the victms eternal rest in perfect peace.