Benue gov seeks military intervention over LG crisis

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday, declared that his administration has requested full military intervention in tackling insecurity in the troubled Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

The governor stated this during his broadcast to the people of the state over the crisis that rocked Ukum LG on Wednesday.

Alia had earlier declared curfew in the affected LG following a violent protest which led to the destruction of personal and government properties.

The protest was triggered by the killing of some people in Ayati village.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, noted on Thursday that the state Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, had relocated to the troubled LG, adding that 18 suspects have been arrested in connection with the violent protest.

While addressing the residents, the governor said his administration is intensifying efforts in collaborating with the security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice, noting that his government will soon set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem.

He called on criminals troubling the state to embrace the government gestures to repent and vowed that he would no longer guarantee the hands of fellowship extended to them, saying his administration had run out of patience.

The governor extended his warm greetings to security men who sustained injury while keeping peace during the violent protest.

Alia said, “The mayhem caused by these heinous acts of violence has not gone unnoticed and I stand with you in condemning these atrocities.

“Full military intervention has been ordered. My heart goes out to the three soldiers and two police officers who were wounded in the line of duty protecting the lives and properties of citizens in Sakara. I am happy to report they have all been treated and discharged.

“I had earlier in the day directed the Deputy Governor, who had visited and carried out on-the-spot assessment of the scenes of these devastating destructions.”

He noted that “we must channel our energies towards constructive actions. Destruction of public property and chaos only serve to compound our challenges and divert resources that could be better used to address the root causes of these issues.

“My administration is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Benue State. We are intensifying our efforts in collaborating with security agencies to bring the perpetrators of these violent and criminal acts to justice.

“Already, we have started getting positive results. We are also working on preventive measures to ensure such an incident does not reoccur, now or in the future.”

He advised the people not to allow “the actions of a few to destabilise us. We will not sit back and allow anyone or a group to frustrate the peace of the state and destabilise the government of Benue State.”

The governor stated further, “Let me for the last time extend our hands of fellowship to all our youths who have chosen to reside in the forests and continually launch attacks on innocent citizens that my government has run out of patience and shall no longer guarantee the olive leaf branch extended to them.

“To this end, our government will in the next few days, set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of this mayhem.

“Additionally, more actions will be taken to demonstrate my unwavering commitment to bringing these retrogressive activities to a total end.”