From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been urged to, as a matter of urgency, direct all security agencies in the state to work towards ensuring that peace returns to all the troubled areas in Benue state to aid the return of Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs), to their ancestral homes.
The Senior Special Assistant To Governor Hyacinth Alia On Youth Mobilization and Empowerment, Hon. Moses Mkeenem, made this call on Friday while briefing newsmen in Makurdi, the state capital.
Mkeenen who noted that the call has become necessary said armed militia masquerading as herdsmen “are still grazing on peoples farm lands in the state and causing Mayhem, killing people and raping our wives, mothers and sisters despite government efforts to resettle IDPs in the state.”
He pleaded with the President to wave his magic wand on the security situation bedeviling the state and ensure that internally displaced persons return to their homes peacefully.
“My office and the entire youth of Benue are making a renewed and passionate appeal to herders who are still grazing on peoples farm land in the state and causing Mayhem, killing people and raping our wives, mothers, and sisters to desist forthwith as this may not be condoned any longer.”
He solicited the collaboration of youths from the neighboring states of Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, and Cross River to enable the state achieve peace, unity and protect territorial integrity.
“The activities of armed militia suspected to be herdsmen on the border areas have affected people from the local governments of Logo, Guma, Kwande, Ukum, Katsina-ala, Makurdi, Gwer-west, Agatu, and Ogbadibo stand condemned.
“We call on the federal government and various security agencies to expedite actions and curb the security situation in these local governments so that farming activities and businesses will strive, as these have greatly affected the youth who are the active population that engage in farming activities and businesses,” he said.
The aide urged Benue youths to key into the Governor Alia’s agenda for development and peace, and cautioned those who are in the habit of fomenting trouble to have a rethink as his office will no longer condone any form of distraction to state development.
Describing Governor Alia as a peace-loving person, the SA said there was need for all who are aggrieved and already at loggerheads with one another to sheath their swords and embrace peace permanently.
He also condemned internal security challenges being faced in the state including armed robbery, kidnappings, banditry, and illicit activities such as illegal taxation in markets and public spaces carried out by some youth, and caution those involved to desist forthwith as such criminal acts will not be tolerated under his supervision in the state.
Mkeenem who urged the students to align themselves with the blueprint of the state government to enable them enjoy the dividends accruable to students in the administration, said his office will collaborate with security agencies to curb social vices like cultism, drug abuse among students.
He therefore appealed to Benue sons and daughters in diaspora to join hands with the state government in its development agenda by bringing up ideas that will help in developing Benue state saying Governor Alia “recognizes the invaluable role that our dynamic and talented youth, residing across the globe can play.”
He thanked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume, for his support to the state Governor and his fatherly role to the Benue youths, just as he congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the affirmation of his mandate by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“We thank him for the various appointments given to Benue State so far and ask for more appointments to come,” Mkeenem said.