Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has denounced the murder of Alhaji Risku Mohammed, chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Benue State, and a companion.
Akume issued the condemnation through a statement released Sunday by his media spokesman, Yomi Odunuga. He called for the swift arrest and trial of those responsible for the two deaths.
According to the SGF, the killings represent a direct assault on peace efforts in Benue. Communities across the state had labored to rebuild trust and reconciliation over recent years.
He expressed alarm that the murders happened when Benue was witnessing genuine security improvements. Peaceful relations among the state's various groups had also been strengthening, he noted.
Akume warned that criminals cannot be permitted to undo progress made through compromise and dialogue. Criminal actors must face justice, he stressed in his statement.
Residents should resist provocations designed to spark hatred and violence, the SGF urged. Taking the law into private hands would only deepen divisions, he cautioned.
Peace and mutual respect remain the foundation for any real development, Akume maintained. Economic growth cannot occur amid violence and mistrust.
He extended sympathy to the slain chairman's family and to MACBAN's officials and members. Others impacted by the violence also received his condolences.
Akume ordered the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and allied security outfits to launch rigorous investigations. Every angle must be explored in the inquiry, he demanded.
All individuals connected to the crime must face identification, apprehension, and prosecution, according to him. No guilty party should escape accountability.
Akume recalled his earlier demand for justice following killings in Yelwata. Those suspects were subsequently captured and now face trial in court.
Security agencies must pursue this case with comparable vigor and resolve, he added. The slain MACBAN chairman deserves the same commitment to justice.
"Every Nigerian's life carries sacred worth," Akume stated in his remarks. "Those imagining they'll hide after committing murder and violence have gravely miscalculated."
He underlined that justice must not just happen—it must visibly happen. Public confidence in the system depends on transparent accountability, he said.
President Bola Tinubu remains dedicated to combating insecurity nationwide, Akume reaffirmed. Government has equipped security and intelligence personnel with necessary tools and direction.
Benue residents should maintain composure and assist law enforcement with reliable intelligence. Their cooperation strengthens investigations and supports community safety efforts, he urged.
