Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has called on traditional rulers and residents to take stronger measures against insecurity and illegal mining activities threatening communities across the state.
Alia made the appeal on Monday at a town hall meeting in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, during his statewide thank-you tour of federal constituencies.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that Alia urged traditional rulers to strengthen peace-building efforts and discourage young people from engaging in criminal activities.
According to the governor, traditional institutions remain vital to the state’s security framework because of their proximity to local communities and their ability to identify potential threats early.
“Traditional rulers are strategically positioned to identify emerging threats, provide useful intelligence and help prevent criminal activities before they escalate,” Alia said.
He also cautioned residents against selling ancestral lands for illegal mining, particularly gold and other solid minerals, warning that such activities were destroying the environment and worsening insecurity in parts of Kwande.
“Protect your ancestral lands and reject activities capable of compromising the collective security of your communities,” the governor told the stakeholders.
Alia commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the 5th Division of the Nigerian Army in Benue, saying the development would strengthen security operations and expand military coverage in the state.
He revealed that Army units would be established in Adikpo and Anwase to increase security presence and improve response to emerging threats.
However, the governor stressed that military deployment alone would not be sufficient, urging residents, traditional rulers and other community stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies.
Alia further said his administration would continue implementing programmes designed to ease hardship, create opportunities for young people and improve the welfare of residents.
He also disclosed plans to hold a roundtable with some of his opponents in the 2023 governorship election as part of efforts to promote peace, unity and peaceful coexistence in Benue.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency endorsed Alia and Tinubu for second terms, citing the governor’s appointments of indigenes, support for local government autonomy and various development projects across the constituency and the state.
