From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has commended Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) for its feats in the general area of operations of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
The Governor stated this when he received the Force Commander, OPWS, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia and members of his entourage at Government House, Makurdi on Thursday.
The Governor particularly commended OPWS for recently nipping in the bud some security challenges that arose in the Oju Local Government Area (LGA), of the state.
Governor Alia said he was happy at the efforts of the troops in quelling the security challenges within the state and its general area of operations.
Speaking 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.”
He urged OPWS to ensure that the sacrifices they are making would be applied in other areas of its operations in enabling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue to return to their ancestral homes and live their lives in peace, without fear.
Governor Alia assured the Force Commander that his administration would continue to support for a greater success of the Command.
Earlier, the Force Commander Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, informed the governor of the activities of OPWS, within its area of operation.
He said that OPWS was saddled with the mandate of combatting farmers/herders clashes, armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.
Igbinomwanhia appreciated the State Government for supporting their operations and promised to sustain the tempo of the operations.
On Wednesday, Governor Alia who had met with a United Nations (UN) delegation said the government was working on a resettlement plan for the over 2 million IDPs in the state to enable them to return to their ancestral homes.