From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State government has vowed not to cede any part of its land to invaders or bandits.
This is just as it reiterated that the anti-open grazing law is still enforce.
Special Advisers to Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia on Internal and External Security Chief Joseph Har and Col. Alexander Igbaya (rtd)stated this on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen after appearing before the State House of Assembly.
The Assembly had summoned the security advisers following concerns raised over the large influx of cattle into the State.
Col. Igbaya (rtd) said the Governor is unhappy with the security situation of the State, intimating that he is working hard to rejig the anti-open law to make it stronger.
“The crux of the matter is the herdsmen invasion and just last Saturday, the Governor made a categorical statement in Katsina-Ala, he talked about the security of the State and was specific on some items and clearly that he was not happy with what is going on and that he will not compromise. He is rejiging the anti-open grazing law to be stronger.
“We came back and suddenly got this letter from the House to discuss security matters on the floor of the House which we thought was not proper. They asked a lot of questions and at the end, asked us to report back next Tuesday or face certain consequences.
“We have been advising and talking to appropriate security agencies. Recently we developed numbers which we gave to communities across the State, 3 lines to call us if there are security problems in their areas. Later we went to Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS and got their operational number and circulated across the State through the Adviser on Local Government as well as traditional rulers to call and they will respond.
‘We asked them to revert to us for follow up. We are also, informing the security agencies about the influx of cattle in the State. They are aware and we do not know what they are planning to do. The anti-open grazing law is still enforce. The only thing is that the last executive council meeting before the Ortom government left, gave a two(2)week holiday to those who claimed that they did not know the law existed to quit the state. That is what we met.
“On Agatu killings, the Governor would not have called for a State Security Council meeting because there were other killings which if the Security Council would have cumulatively brought up. It is not yet time, the security council meets quarterly but there can be an emergency one. I was in Agatu with the Deputy Governor and Commanders”.
