The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has firmly stated that the state does not require a state of emergency but rather full support from the Federal Government to address its ongoing security issues.
Speaking on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” on Wednesday, Governor Alia emphasized that while the insecurity in Benue is a serious challenge, it is not beyond his government’s control. He expressed confidence that with additional support from the Federal Government, they could successfully resolve the crisis.
Alia pointed out that his administration is capable of curbing the violence but needs more resources to remove the armed herders who have been terrorizing local communities.
“We do not need a state of emergency,” he declared. “What we need is immediate and substantial support. The Federal Government has been helpful; they sent two armored tanks which made a significant difference. However, we still require additional help to clear the state of these armed invaders.”
The governor stressed that Benue’s priority is to return displaced residents to their homes and restore peace to the affected areas. “We need to drive out the invaders, some of whom do not even speak the Nigerian languages we speak. Let them return to where they came from, and allow our farmers to reclaim their ancestral land,” he said.
Governor Alia made it clear that while he is fully committed to handling the security challenges in Benue, a state of emergency is not the solution. Instead, he urged the Federal Government to provide the necessary support to bring an end to the violence and restore peace in the state.
