Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Benue State Security Council has approved that a Bureau of Homeland Security be established in the state, to coordinate and liaise between the office of the governor and the security agencies, for immediate responses on security matters in Benue state.
Governor Hyacinth Alia stated this on Thursday, July 11th, 2024, after a joint security meeting, held at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode, the governor said the Security Council had agreed that the Bureau be headed by a Director General, appointed by the governor.
On the recent attacks in Ukum local government area, the Security Council directed that the curfew in the entire Sankera area of the state should continue, further placing a ban on protest in the entire axis until further notice.
According to the governor, the Council also agreed that a Judicial Panel of Inquiry should be set up by the government to look into the destruction of government and private properties in Ukum, as a result of the recent protest in the area.
They equally frowned at the increasing number of illegal checkpoints in the state, urging all security agencies in the state to work together in synergy, so as to effectively combat crimes in Benue.
While also insisting that the Benue State law against Matching Ground is still effective and operational and will soon be gazzetted and made available to the public, the Security Council also directed the Special Adviser on security to work in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, to organize a workshop and sensitize the people on the dangers of illicit drugs and human trafficking in the state.
On the request for the allocation of plots of land to Federal Agencies to erect structures, the Benue State Security Council said extensive consultations should be carried out on the matter in order to ensure a fair treatment on all concerned.
Relatedly, the Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Makurdi Zonal Office, Gloria Iveren Bai, has said the Benue girls that were trafficked to Ivory Coast have been brought back home and are currently in rehabilitation.
She spoke shortly after the Security meeting at the Government House, Makurdi, on Thursday.
According to her, the lady who took them to Ivory Coast in the guise of getting a job for them, has been arrested and will soon be charged to court.
She commended the efforts of the Benue State government for ensuring the girls’ return back to the state, advising parents, guardians and job seekers to always be on the watch out, in order to safeguard against issues of trafficking.