Governor Hyacinth Alia has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening security across Benue State through sustained collaboration with security agencies.

While expressing happiness with the process of establishing a state police, the governor said the development is a critical step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

He stated this today at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, during a town hall meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who was in Benue on an operational assessment visit.

The governor described the IGP’s visit as timely and reassuring, noting, amongst other things, that it reflected the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to enhancing internal security, promoting community policing and working closely with state governments to tackle insecurity.

He observed that the persistent attacks and loss of lives in Benue remained unacceptable, stressing that insecurity in the state’s agrarian communities also poses a serious threat to food security across the country.

He stressed that his administration had consistently supported security agencies with operational vehicles, motorcycles, communication gadgets and other logistics, while strengthening inter-agency cooperation through regular Security Council meetings, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations.

He also pledged the state’s full support for the proposed 14-day security sweep across Benue.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s support in the fight against insecurity and applauded the Benue State Commissioner of Police for initiating grassroots community engagement, especially among youths, with plans to extend the initiative across the state.

Reiterating his long-held position on state policing, the Governor said the conversation should no longer be about whether Nigeria needs state police but how to make it operational, arguing that officers with local knowledge of the terrain and communities would significantly improve security outcomes.

He charged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to continue supporting security agencies through credible intelligence and peaceful coexistence, emphasising that security is a collective responsibility.

Governor Alia assured the Inspector-General of the state’s continued cooperation in all lawful efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace, adding that his administration remains committed to ensuring that internally displaced persons safely return to their ancestral communities.

He disclosed that many displaced persons had already voluntarily returned to their communities for this year’s farming season, while the state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, would continue supporting them with farm inputs and measures to guarantee their safety.

Expressing confidence that sustained collaboration among all stakeholders would overcome the state’s security challenges, Governor Alia wished the Inspector-General a successful operational visit and reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous Benue State.