…Reiterates support for state Police
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening security in the state through sustained collaboration with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
Governor Alia stated this Thursday during a Town Hall Meeting held at the instance of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu in the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi.
The Governor described the IGP’s visit as timely and reassuring as according to him, it reflected the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to enhancing internal security, promoting community policing and working closely with state governments to tackle insecurity.
Governor Alia who noted the persistent attacks on Benue communities which not only leads to loss of lives but also poses serious threats to Nigeria’s food security, further commended the process for establishment of state police saying the development is a critical step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
The Governor posited that his administration had consistently supported security agencies with operational vehicles, motorcycles, communication gadgets and other logistics, while strengthening inter-agency cooperation through regular Security Council meetings, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations.
He therefore assured of the state government’s full support for the proposed 14-day security sweep across Benue.
Speaking further, Governor Alia commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s support in the fight against insecurity and applauded the Benue State Commissioner of Police for initiating grassroots community engagement, especially among youths, with plans to extend the initiative across the state.
Reiterating his long-held position on state policing, the Governor said the conversation should no longer be about whether Nigeria needs state police but how to make it operational, arguing that officers with local knowledge of the terrain and communities would significantly improve security outcomes.
He urged religious leaders, traditional rulers and members of the public to sustain support for security agencies through credible intelligence emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility.
Governor Alia assured the IGP of the state’s continued cooperation in all lawful efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace, adding that his administration remains committed to ensuring that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) safely return to their ancestral communities.
Expressing confidence that sustained collaboration among all stakeholders would go a long way in the efforts aimed at overcoming the state’s security challenges, Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous Benue State.
Meanwhile, Governor Alia disclosed during the Town Hall Meeting that many displaced persons had already voluntarily returned to their communities for this year’s farming season and announced that the state government would through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, continue supporting them with farm inputs and measures to guarantee their safety.
In their various contributions, the Tor Tiv and Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse; the Och”Idoma, Chief John Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji; the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Benjamin Omale; the state APC Woman Leader, Mrs Helen Agaigbe; the Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Benue State Chapter, Pastor Jonathan Ugbede as well as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Affairs and Illegal Levies, Hon. Terver Gbenda, among others, commended the IGP for his efforts and called on the police to step up their game, especially in the area of stakeholder engagements for better efficiency.
Earlier, IGP Disu explained that he was in the state interface with the Benue State Government, men and officers of the Nigeria Polic Force, Benue State Command, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in order to map out strategies geared towards putting and end to the security challenges confronting Benue State.
The Town Hall Meeting was part of activities marking the IGP’s Operational Assessment Visit to Benue State.
