Benue Gov. Lauds OPWS Operation In Curbing Criminality

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has commended Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), the military spike in Benue State for the feats in its general area of operations of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.

The Governor particularly applauded OPWS for recently nipping in the bud some security challenges that arose in Oju Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Governor Alia who disclosed this while playing host to the Force Commander, OPWS, Major General Sunday Iserihen Igbinomwanhia and members of his entourage at Government House, Makurdi on Thursday.

Governor Alia therefore, commended the military spike operation for it efforts in quelling the challenges of insecurity within the state and its general area of operations.

On the Oju security challenge, the state governor appreciated “the prompt response of OPWS in handling the security situations that occurred recently at Oju and other communities in Benue State as well as your sacrifices in ensuring that peace and normalcy returns to the State.”

Therefore, he enjoined OPWS to ensure that this selfless sacrifices be applied in other areas of its operations in enabling internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue return to their ancestral homes and live their lives in peace, without fear.

Governor Alia further assured the Force Commander of the continued support of the State Government that would lead to greater successes of his Command.

Earlier in his remarks, the Force Commander Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS),.Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia informed the Governor of activities of OPWS, within it’s area of responsibility covering Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

He explained that OPWS was saddled with the mandate of combating farmers/armed herders clashes, armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the aforementioned states.

The Force Commander also appreciated the State Government for her support to Operations Whirl Stroke and promised to sustain the tempo of the operations.

Recall that on Wednesday, Governor Alia who had met with a United Nations (UN) delegation said Government was working on a resettlement plan for the over 2 million IDPs in the state to enable them return to their ancestral homes.