- Safiu Kehinde
Benue State Governor, Alia Hyacinth, has given details of how his administration has been able to arrest the resurgence of insecurity in the state.
Alia made this known during his address at an engagement with stakeholders of the state on Friday.
The governor, in his address, attributed the successful efforts in curtailing the insurgents to President Bola Tinubu for his interventions.
Alia also explained that the recent attack on Goma Local Government Area was carried out by insurgents who have been chased from most of the local government areas and were forced to relocate to a border council area like Goma which shared boundary with Nasarawa state.
“We have to continue with the work. We had to call the Federal Government, letting them know the efforts we have put in, what was done, and what is left for us to do.
“There was an immediate synergy, and the government did some deployment. Within the first 25 days, it was pressed down to three local governments, starting with six and then went down to three.
“So, I remain very indebted to the Federal Government for their undying support to ensuring that Benue experiences peace again, total peace and the citizens will, including those who have been displaced, go back home to do what we know how to do best here in the state, since we are agrarians, working on our farms.” He said.
While acknowledging having mutual relationship with the governor of Nasarawa state, Alia was of the view that the insurgents launched the attack from their Nasarawa base.
“The President had to come visit us here when one of the remaining three local government again had to be in the news for wrong reasons.
“It is just yards away from where we are. The local government shares boundary with Makurdi. It is called Goma local government.
“Why the mishap took place was certainly the fact that the insurgency has been dissolved in several local governments and they recorded a lot of casualties.
“And part of them who have ran away had to find themselves back to this place. It is 10 kilometres away from the border of Nasarawa state.
“Quite a chunk of attack had come from the Nasarawa axis. We have a very good robust synergy with the governor of Nasarawa state and we will continue to do that.
“Part of the state shares border with Cameroon.” He said.
Alia further noted that beyond food production, Benue State also possess large quantity of solid minerals which include uranium, lithium, and gold.
He hinted that the solid minerals might also be another factor for the cause of insurgents’ persistent attack on some areas in the state.
“People think that Benue State is only known for food. It’s way beyond that. We have tons of commercial solid minerals including uranium, lithium, and gold.
“That is why we are praying that our blessing will not turn into curse.
“When you are having attacks in certain areas, your mind will keep roaming.” He added.