Benue Set To Launch Security Outfit This Month – Gov. Alia Says

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has said the state government has finalised arrangement towards the launch of its own local security outfit that will engage about ten thousand youths before the end of May, 2024.

He said the State security outfit will complement the efforts of the other security agencies in tackling security challenges bedevilling the state.
Governor Alia, who stated this on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at a Stakeholders Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at Government House, Makurdi, appreciated the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies in securing the country and the state.

The Governor said the launch of the State security outfit will aid in securing Benue communities thereby enable farmers to access their farm lands without fear.
Alia said that his administration is already working towards procuring Hilux vans and motorcycles that will be used by the security outfit to access the nooks and crannies of the state.
Commenting on the Stakeholders meeting, Alia said it became necessary to enable him brief the members of the party on the plans the government has in place to arrest the security challenge.

He said the state government has written the Commissioner of Police, intimating him of the necessity and urgency of the meeting, adding that the Police boss also gave the go ahead for the meeting against the backdrop of the fact that the ban on political gatherings is still in force in the state.
Alia told the stakeholders that some enemies of the state had gone to invite unknown gunmen to come into Benue and destabilize its peace, adding however that the government was able to push the invaders back to where they came from, and will continue to do so until they are all gone to enable farmers return to farms to ensure food security for the state.
The Governor further said that some Local Government Areas namely; Kwande, Ukum, Logo, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Apa, Agatu, are still affected by the attacks but, assured that the state government will not rest on its oars until the state becomes much safer.
Speaking on some of his achievements in office, Governor Alia said his administration has made tremendous efforts in almost all the sectors, including the construction of rural and urban roads, assuring that he will do more to make Benue a great state.
He said that even though the government has made a lot of impact in the Health sector, with the recruitment of over 400 Specialists and non-Specialists Staff at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, it still intends to revamp both the primary and secondary healthcare systems across the state.

Alia also said that the School of Nursing will also be re-opened with the government paying half of the tuition fees for students of Benue indigenes who will be returning back there to study, adding that his administration plan to reintroduce scholarship award to students of the state, encourage skills acquisition programmes for the youths as well as to encourage the study of science related courses.
While appreciating the federal government for the award of the Overpass at Wurukum roundabout, Governor Alia said over 50 other road networks have also been awarded by the state government across the state, and are to be completed within 12 months.
He said that even though some people are unhappy that his administration is doing things differently from the past, he assured that he will continue to ensure that the right thing is done for the overall good of the state.
Alia appreciated the stakeholders and the entire leadership of the party for always supporting his administration and called on the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) to fast track the process for the conduct of the local government elections in the state.
The Governor insisted that the party in the state remains united under the leadership of the acting state chairman, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, and is on the right track to develop Benue, warning those trying to destabilize the state with divisive comments to stay clear as he will not allow anyone to destabilize the government, including those who served the state in the past.
Earlier, the acting State Chairman of the APC in the State, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, appreciated the governor for his continued support and leadership to both the party and the state, stressing that there is no disunity in the party under his watch.

Omakolo assured that he will continue to promote unity, fairness and collaboration with party faithful and stakeholders ahead of the local government elections in the state.
In their separate remarks, Senator Barnabas Gemade, on behalf of Zone A elders and stakeholders, Hon. Hinga Biem for Zone B, Hon. Nelson Alapa for Zone C, Scholastica Ben Sough for the Women, Adah Nath for the youths, Hon. Philip Achua for Benue state ALGON as well as Hon. Saater Tiseer for the Members of the Benue State House of Assembly, appreciated the governor for his developmental strides.

They passed a vote of confidence on Governor Alia and urged him to continue to do his best for the overall interest of Benue and its people.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Governor, Mr Sam Ode, said he is solidly behind the governor, insisting that even if there is any impeachment attempt, he will not avail himself to be used to succeed the governor.
He assured the people of Zone C that the administration of Governor Alia has a lot of good plans for the zone, and urged them and the entire people of the state to continue to support the government for more development.