Police beef up security in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has deployed its men to strategic places in Makurdi, the state capital.

Our correspondent, who went around the city on Monday, reported the presence of policemen.

The presence of policemen in the capital city may be connected to the planned hunger protests across the country, which are expected to commence on August 1.

The state governor, Hyacinth Alia, said on Sunday that he had the assurances of various groups, including student unions, market groups, organised labour, and other civil society organisations, not to participate in hunger protests in all parts of the state.

Alia said that the state has experienced enough insecurity in recent times and that it would no longer be in its interest to witness another protest that may be hijacked by hoodlums.

“And I’m grateful to organised labour in the state, student union, market union and others  for being considerate not to participate in any protest that at the end of the day might be hijacked by hoodlums and our entire peace  destabilised,” Alia had said.

While reacting, the state command’s spokesperson, Catherine Anene, allayed the fear of Benue residents due to the huge presence of policemen within the town.

Anene said, “The presence of police officers across Makurdi today is not to scare citizens but to assure them of police presence and warn any hoodlum who intends to cause a breach of peace in the name of protest.”

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