By Kelvin Moji, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening security across the state through sustained collaboration with security agencies.
He stated this on Thursday at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, during a town hall meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who was in Benue on an operational assessment visit.
While expressing happiness with the process of establishment of state police, the Governor said the development is a critical step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to a press statement by Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the Governor described the IGP’s visit as timely and reassuring, noting amongst other things that 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.
He observed that the persistent attacks and loss of lives in Benue remained unacceptable, stressing that insecurity in the state’s agrarian communities also poses a serious threat to food security across the country.
He stressed 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 also pledged the state’s full support for the proposed 14-day security sweep across Benue.
He 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 charged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to continue supporting security agencies through credible intelligence and peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility.
Governor Alia assured the Inspector-General 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 safely return to their ancestral communities.
