Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, led a somber memorial mass at St. John’s Catholic Church in Makurdi to honor his late cousin, Chief Augustine Iorpuu Alia, who passed away on June 15, 2025, at the age of 62. 

The service, attended by over 2,000 mourners, including traditional rulers, state officials, and community members, was marked by heartfelt tributes and tears as Alia described his cousin as a “pillar of family unity and a champion of Benue’s cultural heritage.” Chief Augustine, a prominent community leader in Guma Local Government Area, was known for his advocacy for peace amid the state’s ongoing security challenges, which have claimed over 6,896 lives since May 2023.

The memorial mass, officiated by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Diocese, featured a homily urging resilience in the face of loss, drawing parallels to Benue’s broader struggles with violence. Alia, visibly emotional, recounted his cousin’s role in mediating community disputes, particularly during the recent Yelewata attacks that killed 59 people, including two soldiers and one NSCDC officer. “Augustine was a bridge-builder, always seeking dialogue over conflict,” Alia said, pledging N10 million to establish a community peace foundation in his cousin’s name. The state government has also committed to covering funeral expenses and supporting the deceased’s family, including his widow and four children.

Chief Augustine’s death, attributed to a brief illness, has deepened Benue’s collective grief, with mourners highlighting his contributions to local agriculture, which supports 70% of the state’s 5.6 million residents. The mass concluded with a procession to the family compound in Guma, where tributes from the Tiv Traditional Council praised his efforts in promoting education, with 500 students benefiting from his scholarships. Alia, leveraging his pastoral background, called for unity, urging Benue’s 2,000 community leaders to emulate his cousin’s legacy. The event underscored the state’s resilience, with plans for a state-wide peace summit in Q3 2025 to address the 306 abductions reported in 2024.