By Peter Duru, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia has vowed that his government would not watch helplessly while bandits kill, destroy and take over Benue communities assuring that his government is working hard to tackle the security challenges in the state.
According to a statement by Principal Special Assistant, PSA, to the Governor on Madia, Bridget Ikyado, the Governor who gave the assurance when he visited communities in Kwande Local Government Area, LGA, of the state that suffered attacks by armed herdsmen, informed that plans were on to establish a military post in Abaji town to prevent further attacks on communities in that axis of the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, the Governor who took truckloads of relief materials to the victims, addressed the people at Ichongo Traditional Council, Jato Aka, RCM Special Science Primary School, Nyihemba and Achia Primary Health Care, Usambeliev Ikyurav ya, where he also directed that more personnel be posted to the Police Station at Jato Aka.
He said to stem the activities of the marauders “a military post would be established in Abaji to prevent the bandits from attacking farmers in Anyiase, Abande and Nundugh. The Police Commissioner is to also back up the Police Station in Jato Aka with 50 more Police personnel.”
The Governor also disclosed that the boundary demarcation between Benue, Taraba, Cameroon, Ebonyi and Nasarawa states would commence next month, a measure he noted would serve as a non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Joseph Alakali and Chairman, Kwande Local Government Council, Rev. Mark Hule assured the people of the Governor’s commitment to their welfare and safety.
While assuring the people of Turan and Ikyurav Ya that the police was on top of the situation, the Benue Police Commissioner Emmanuel Adesina said in a recent operation two bandits were killed, one other arrested and weapons recovered from them.
The Ter Kwande, Chief Timothy Ahire lauded the Governor for the visit and lamented that the markets in Anyiase Abande, Nundugh and Abaji were no longer witnessing patronage due to attacks by armed herdsmen.
The Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, James Iorpuu assured the people of the agency’s continuous supply of food and non-food items to cushion their sufferings.
