By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Senate Minority Leader and lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro, has condemned the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, describing the attack as barbaric and unacceptable.

Ardo Muhammad and Yakubu Isah were reportedly ambushed and killed by armed men on Friday while returning from a peace meeting in Benue state.

In a statement by his Media Adviser, Emmanuel John, made available to newsmen in Makurdi, Senator Moro said no individual has the moral or constitutional right to take the life of an innocent and unarmed person.

“The attack is barbaric and unacceptable. All lives matter, and nobody has the moral and constitutional rights to take the life of an innocent and armless person,” the lawmaker said.

He urged security agencies to swiftly track down those responsible for the killings and ensure they are brought to justice.

The lawmaker also welcomed Governor Hyacinth Alia’s condemnation of the killings but maintained that a more proactive approach to security could have prevented the incident.

He said, “It is gratifying that the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has found it expedient to condemn the killing of Ardo and Yakubu. However, if the governor had been proactively living up to his constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Benue people, this avoidable killing would have been averted.”

Senator Moro extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed to residents to work together in addressing the state’s security challenges.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and call on everyone to join hands together to nip the ugly security situation in the bud,” he added.