Benue Governor Alia Condemns Attack On Civil Protection Guards As Respondents Advocate Novel Strategy For Combating Insecurity
By Armstrong Tseaa, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has decried the vicious and ferocious attack and murder of three brave members of the state’s Civil Protection Guards who were on duty in On-MbaAondo, Tsambe-Mbesev ward of Gwer-West Local Government.
He said the inhuman act, carried out by marauding armed herdsmen, is a flagrant affront to the peace and security of the area.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, quoted Alia as saying: “We appreciate the deep rage and frustration that has led to the apprehensions at Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-West, including the regrettable burning of the local government secretariat and the palace of Ter Nagi by protesters.”
He said, “While we empathise with our people, we advocate restraint and foresight in directing this anger. Destruction of public infrastructures simply serves to frustrate the intentions of our government, which is devoted to building up peace and security in the state.
“We request all security organs to intensify their efforts in detecting and capturing the perpetrators of this heinous atrocity. It is essential that these marauding herdsmen are made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Our correspondent was prevented from capturing some scenes by the irate youths but a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress in the state who spoke with DAILYLIGHT under condition of anonymity queried the incessant attacks saying, ‘Our boys should also give a fresh breath to herdsmen bearing in mind the devastating effects of climate change on green pastures.’
They need to graze on the banks of River Benue freely. Herdsmen should be treated with respect too.
In Katsina Ala Local Government Area, during an on-the-spot assessment of carnage and distruction by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management/Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, visited the two temporary IDP camps at Abaji-Kpav (Mechihi Council Ward) and Tongov-Gbor (Tighir Council Ward).
In his remarks, the Acting Kindred Head of Tighir, Chief Taghegh Ibya, Hon. Tiza Benjamin Ngumter, Councilor of Tighir Council Ward and Leader of Katsina-Ala Legislative Council, the National President of Tongov Development Association, Hon. Orvaga Tsea, all corroborated the distressing details of the attacks.
Some grim statistics in Katsina Ala Local Government indicated that 13 people were confirmed dead, 14 settlements destroyed at the Abaji-Kpav Internally Displaced Persons IDP Camp, 3,223 persons displaced from 538 households; and at Gbor IDP Camp, 1,215 displaced persons from 203 households.
During the visit, Hon. Solomon Wombo, the House of Representatives member representing Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo Federal Constituency, alongside Hon. Shaku Justin Orangoholga, Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government, lauded the governor for his prompt response.
They assured the IDPs that relief materials would be delivered swiftly and reiterated their confidence in Governor Alia’s determination to end the cycle of violence in the area.
Since the inauguration on May 29th 2023, of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia as the sixth civilian governor of Benue State, the state has witness a number of unprovoked and unprecedented campaigns of banditry and terrorists’ attacks that glaringly show that there is ‘insiders-collaborations’ whenever the acts of terrorism occured.
Meanwhile, The House of Representatives Member representing the Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Arc. Asema Achado, says the sustained attacks and killings of innocent people in Benue State is worrisome.
Hon. Achado stressed that contrary to Governor Alia’s claims, multiple reports and testimonies from affected families and community leaders have consistently pointed to the involvement of armed herders in the attacks that have plagued the state.
He emphasised the importance of confronting the truth to find lasting solutions to the crises.
Dr Achado said: “I called upon families who have lost loved ones in these tragic incidents to take a bold stand, by taking the corpses of those who have been killed to the headquarters of their local governments.”
According to him, the act of displaying the dead bodies would serve as confirmation of the situation, compelling both the local, state, and federal governments and the international community to recognise the urgent need for action.
