From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State Government has declared war on criminals and bandits terrorizing commuters along the Makurdi-Naka Federal highway.
Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and internal Affairs, Col. Joseph Har, rtd, said government is determined in 2024 to rid kidnappers bandits, armed herders and other forms of criminalities along the deplorable road which has become a haven for criminal elements.
He said this when he led members of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, BSVG Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services, NHFSS, the State Livestock Guards, BLSG and Nigeria Vigilante Group on New year’s day show of force to register their presence in a bid to ensure the safety of residents and commuters.
Chief Har led the deployment of the traditional outfits in a number of motorcades and hundreds of motorcycles mounted by the operatives to create awareness and sensitize the inhabitants and all those who engage in such unwholesome practice to desist from it forthwith.
It should be noted and sadly too, that in 2023, there were several incidence of kidnapping of commuters, passengers plying through that axis in Benue Links buses. Some were even murdered.
The Security Adviser explained the move is part of effort to complement conventional security agencies to wade off hoodlums whose activities have become a menace, stressing that it is the resolve of the Governor Alia led administration to ensure peace and prosperity of the state.
The security adviser on internal affairs, who maintained that the local security outfit are ready to move into the forest to flush out any criminal element including invading the camps of the bandits to stop the killings of Benue people, visited the traditional ruler in Naka town in Gwer – west local government area, the Ter – Nagi, His Royal Highness, Daniel Ayua Abomtse, whose communities have been mostly attacked by armed herders, bandits to seek his support and blessings.
Chief Abomtse who pledged his support to the initiative,said the State government action has rekindled hope for the future of the people who are been attacked unprovoked.
