“State Of Emergency Will Worsen The Security Problems In Benue State” – Conference Of Bishops Warns

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Declaring a State of Emergency in Benue State will not only be  unnecessary, but also counterproductive, the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria CBCN has insisted.

The body of Christian Clerics maintained that what the State needs in the face of mounting security challenges are unity of purpose and support for  Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The CBCN position is coming against the backdrop of  persistent calls of late by some individuals and entities, including some Catholic Clerics, urging President Bola Tinubu to consider declaring a State of emergency in the State, as a veritable way of taming the orgy of violent attacks and killings that have been visited on some parts of the state by suspected killer herdsmen and other criminal elements.

The Source reports that over 100 deaths, and monumental destruction of both private and public properties have been recorded following several violent attacks on some communities in Benue state  by suspected banditry and terrorist groups in the last few months.

But in a  statement issued on Saturday by its Benue State Coordinator, Archbishop Alexander Nyoonkyegh, the CBCN noted that the state Governor being a man of God, needs prayers, support and encouragement from community and religious leaders at this trying moment ,,and not agitation for a state of emergency.

” Governor Alia is our brother in the vineyard ,and as true men of God ,we must protect and support him.

At this point ,what Benue  state needs is not a state of emergency but unity and cooperation to overcome its challenges.

The CBCN expressed fears that proclaiming a state of emergency could result in bringing an outsider to manage the affairs of the state which could lead to the escalations of the situation.

Archbishop Nyoonkyegh referenced the case of Rivers state where the handing over of the leadership to an outsider has tended to complicate the situation.

“When you have a son, a  brother doing his best in the vineyard ,the right thing is to say ‘Brother ,keep it up.’

“Rev Fr Alia is working despite the tough circumstances

We must continue to pray for him and not work against him”, the CBCN coordinator stated

According to the body, even when he is not in charge of the security forces of the country, Governor Alia  has nonetheless given his best in the fight against insecurity in the state .

The CBCN while lauding the efforts so far made by  the President to halt the spate of attacks and killings in the state ,called for more security presence.