Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia says his administration will launch its security outfit of 10,000 youths before the end of May 2024.
The proposed organisation will complement the efforts of the regular security agencies in tackling the security challenges faced by the state.
Governor Alia disclosed this at the stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the Government House, Makurdi.
In a statement sent to journalists by his chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor appreciated the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies in securing the country and the state.
He said the launch of the state-owned security outfit would aid in securing Benue communities and enabling farmers to access their farmlands without fear.
Alia said his administration is working towards procuring Hilux vans and motorcycles for the proposed security outfit to access the nooks and crannies of the state.
At the stakeholders’ meeting, the governor said it became necessary to enable him to brief the members of the party on the plans of the government to arrest the security challenge, adding that his administration had written to the commissioner of police on the necessity and urgency of the meeting. The governor said the ban on political gatherings is still in force in the state.
He informed the stakeholders that some enemies of the state had invited unknown gunmen into Benue to destabilise its peace, but that the government has been able to push the invaders back to where they came from and will continue to do so until they are all gone, to enable the farmers to return to the farm to ensure food security for the state.
The governor said some local government areas such as Kwande, Ukum, Logo, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Apa, and Agatu, are still affected by the attacks, but that the state government will not rest on its oars until the state becomes much safer.
Speaking on some of his achievements in office, the governor said his administration has made tremendous efforts in almost all sectors, including the construction of rural and urban roads, assuring that he will do more to make Benue a greater state.
He said even though the government has made a lot of impact in the health sector, with the recruitment of over 400 Specialists and non-specialist staff at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, it still intends to revamp both the primary and secondary healthcare systems across the state, adding that the School of Nursing will also be re-opened, with the government paying half of the tuition fees for students of Benue indigenes who will be returning there to study.
He also intimated his administration’s plan to reintroduce scholarship awards to state students, encourage skills acquisition programmes for the youths and encourage the study of science-related courses.
While appreciating the federal government for the Overpass at Wurukum roundabout award, the governor said over 50 other road networks have also been awarded by the state government and are to be completed within 12 months.
