From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
In determined efforts to rid the state of activities such as kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality, the Special Adviser to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, Chief Joseph Har, (PSP), has taken the war against crimes and violence to Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.
The Security Adviser, who had in November 2023, launched a campaign against violence, extortion, and cultism, led members of state security outfits, including the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, (BSCVG), Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services, the State Livestock Guards and Nigeria Vigilante Group, on a show of force along Naka-Makurdi road which has become a haven for criminal elements.
Our correspondent reports that the Makurdi-Naka road is notorious for herdsmen attacks, killings and kidnappings.
Recall that one Mrs Martha Anderson was shot dead along the road on December 28, 2023, while returning from her village in Gwer West LGA after spending Christmas with relatives.
During the exercise, Har led 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.
He said the exercise was approved by Governor Hyacinth Alia as part of effort to complement conventional security agencies to wade off hoodlums whose activities have become a menace to the state.
He noted that it is the resolve of Governor Alia led administration to ensure peace and prosperity of the state.
The security adviser 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.
During the visit, Har led the motorcades to the palace of the traditional ruler in Naka town, the Ter – Nagi, HRH, Daniel Abomtse, whose communities have been mostly attacked by armed herders, bandits, to seek his support and blessings.
Speaking, HRH Chief Daniel Abomtse, described the visit and exercise as a welcome development saying “it is a joyous moment for me and my palace. This visit has rekindled hope for the future of my people who are been attacked unprovoked.”
While thanking Governor Alia for the development and plans to deploy operatives of the local security outfits to the roads and the forest, Abomtse noted that the gesture further demonstrate his care and commitment to the plight of his people and promise to give his full support and cooperation for the success.
The traditional ruler, who lamented the continued displacement of his people since February 8th, 2011 till date on account of attacks by marauding herdsmen, bandits, commended the Governor’s meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff, which he said is now paving way for the relative peace witness in Benue.
He expressed the hoped that the Governor will put an end to the killings in the state especially in his domain.
Abomtse suggested that a “three days military onslaught” be carried out in the forests to bring acts of kidnappings in Gwer West to an end.
He stated that this can either be done by land or air to ensure that all the territories called enclaves are completely shelled.
“If that is done, police and troops like the volunteer guards, hunters will take over at the back. I think state of emergency should be declared on some of these local government areas so that the military will prove that they are in charge”.
Meanwhile, the State Commander of Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Services, Peter Ajonye, lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia for the initiative and the traditional ruler, HRH Daniel Abomtse for pledging support to the exercise.
He urged the Governor to ensure that the exercise is fully funded with operational vehicles and logistics to enable them tackle crimes and achieve set results.
The operation coordinator of Nigeria Vigilante Group, DSP John Akile, (rtd), a retired police officer, said the exercise is a message to all the hoodlums terrorizing the people they are all out for them.