By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has said the security of lives and property, one of his government’s most prioritized missions has been to ensure that internally displaced people who have been in IDP camps as a result of marauders attacks, can return safely to their ancestral homes.
Governor Alia who stated this at IBB Square while celebrating the 2024 Democracy Day said his government have initiated the process by lobbying the Federal Government to begin the construction of resettlement homes for our people.
“Our administration, in collaboration with security agencies and relevant stakeholders, has been working round the clock to ensure that Benue is a safe haven for all.
Although this task has been challenging, the impact so far has been very encouraging. For instance, we have nipped in the bud almost all the inter-ethnic/community skirmishes that were prevalent before and after we came into office”, the Governor said.
Governor Alia maintained that, “the farmer/herder crisis and militia attacks have been contained through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. And we are determined to lose no sleep until we totally secure our dear State”.
“We have also signed into law, the establishment of a state security outfit known as the Benue State Civil Protection Guards: A formidable force combining our Livestock Guards and Volunteer Guards to effectively tackle insecurity in our dear state”, Governor Alia reiterated.
He called on the good people of Benue state not to take hook-line-and-sinker, the misinformation making the rounds that the Anti-open Grazing Law has been repealed. As a matter of fact, the Law has been strengthened with more stringent stipulations.
Governor Alia saluted all security agencies and formations domiciled in the state, for their priceless sacrifices towards the protection of lives and property. To all volunteers of information, logistics and other efforts towards securing Benue, we are truly grateful.
