By Akinwale Kasali
Following the activities of herders and the security threats posed to residents and host communities in Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has declared that no part of the State will be surrendered to herders.
The Benue State Governor made this declaration while addressing stakeholders from the Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo and Kwande/Ushongo Jechira federal constituencies during his statewide thank-you tour.
He lamented the killings of residents of several communities in the State by suspected herders and bandits, stressing that his administration would defeat insecurity and protect the people’s ancestral lands.
Reaffirmig his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, Governor Alia applauded President Bola Tinubu for further strengthening Benue’s security architecture.
He particularly acknowledged the establishment and siting of the Nigerian Army 5 Division in the state as part of efforts to strengthen security.
While assuring residents of peace and stability in their communities, he also assured traditional rulers of continued partnership in maintaining peace, resolving disputes and mobilising their communities for development.
During the engagement in Sankera, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, elected representatives and other community leaders met with the Governor, where he spoke extensively on the need to prioritize the safety of the people, and also bring an end to banditry, kidnapping and herders conflicts in the State.
The Tor Sankera, HRH David Sevav, appealed for the restoration of peace, the resuscitation of the waterworks and increased opportunities for Sankera indigenes in government appointments.
In Kwande, the Governor separately engaged traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders, urging them to sustain unity and cooperation for the development of the state.
He commended the traditional institution for its role in maintaining peace and resolving community disputes.
Governor Alia furthermore appreciated religious leaders for their contributions to peacebuilding and peaceful coexistence, urging them to continue promoting unity among the people.
At the political stakeholders’ town hall, he urged leaders to put the interest of Benue above personal differences and work collectively to sustain the progress recorded by his administration.
When he visited Jechira, the Governor had a separate engagements with traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders, reiterating the importance of unity, discipline and collective participation in development.
The Governor was accompanied by former Governor, Gabriel Suswam, as he commended the administration’s performance, particularly its ongoing infrastructural projects, while expressing the support of Sankera people for the re-election of Alia and Tinubu, urging stakeholders to sustain unity and cooperation.
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