Defence Minister speaks on killing of soldiers in Benue

Minister of Defence, Retired General Bashir Salihi Magashi says the Nigerian Armed Forces are deeply saddened and disappointed by the killing of soldiers in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, but stresses that the unfortunate incident will not discourage the military from carrying out its duty of protecting lives of the people.

He spoke today when he led the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and other top military officers to pay a courtesy visit on Governor Samuel Ortom at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

The Minister of Defence who expressed President Muhammadu Buhari’s displeasure over the killing of soldiers, said barbarism and anything that tries to make Nigeria ungovernable would not be accepted.

He stated that for the morale of the soldiers to be restored, perpetrators of the dastardly act must be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law, pointing out that they were also in the state to restore confidence in the troops.

Governor Samuel Ortom who expressed deep sympathies with the President and the Armed Forces over the barbaric act said he lost sleep since the unfortunate incident occured.

The Governor who acknowledged the enormous support and contributions of security agencies especially the military in ensuring peace in the State said he had directed stakeholders from Konshisha Local Government Area to fish out the perpetrators.

He pledged his administration’s support and cooperation with security agencies to ensure those responsible for the dastardly act were apprehended and brought to justice, and prayed for the restoration of peace and security in all parts of the country.