The Paramount Ruler of Sankera, His Royal Highness Tor Sankera, David Sevav, has called on both the Federal and State Governments to ensure that perpetrators of the recent burning of St. Paul’s Parish, Aye-Twar, by suspected armed Fulani militia do not go unpunished.
HRH Sevav made the call during a solidarity visit to the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Most Rev. Isaac Dugu, following the destruction of the parish.
He was accompanied by the Sankera Traditional Council, Hon. Prince Solomon Wombo, Member representing Sankera Federal Constituency, the Chairmen of Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo LGAs, members of the Benue State House of Assembly, and other government appointees.
Expressing shock and sorrow over the attack, the Tor Sankera condemned the violence as a desecration of a sacred space and an affront to humanity. He stressed that the incident was not only an assault on the Church but also a challenge to leaders and security agencies to live up to their responsibilities of protecting lives and property.
“The necessity for justice and security for all citizens, regardless of religion, must be upheld if peace and harmony are to thrive in our communities,” he declared, urging urgent government intervention to restore safety in the area.
Tor Sankera further encouraged Bishop Dugu not to lose hope, praising his efforts in peacebuilding, including his personal sacrifices in reaching out to bandits in the bushes—efforts he noted were rare even among the sons of Sankera.
He also appealed to the Benue State Government to rebuild the destroyed parish and strengthen security to enable displaced residents to return home and resume normal religious life.
In his response, Bishop Dugu thanked Tor Sankera and his delegation for their solidarity and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peace in Sankera, despite the challenges posed by recurring violence.
The visit, observers note, was both a show of support for the Church and a wider call for justice, unity, and collective action against insecurity in Benue State.
