Benue State candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 governorship election, Prof. Terhemba Shija, and his running mate, Dr Raymond Edoh, have condemned the attacks on several communities in Ukum Local Government Area of the state by suspected armed herdsmen.
The attacks reportedly claimed several lives, while many others sustained injuries.
In a statement, Shija and Edoh described the incidents as deeply disturbing and unacceptable, urging security authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify those responsible, establish the exact number of casualties and determine the extent of damage caused by the attacks.
They also called for the affected area to be secured without delay and urged security agencies to locate and rescue anyone who may still be missing.
The duo further demanded that those behind the attacks be apprehended and prosecuted, stressing that “No individual or group should be allowed to terrorise communities, destroy livelihoods or deny citizens their fundamental right to live in peace.”
While expressing heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected, Shija and Edoh said every life lost represents a painful reminder of the devastating impact of insecurity on communities across Benue State.
They urged residents to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies, while cautioning against actions capable of worsening tensions in the affected areas.
The NDC governorship candidate and his running mate also called on the Benue State Government to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected communities and strengthen security measures to prevent further attacks.
“The recurring insecurity confronting parts of Benue demands more than temporary reactions.”
