By Elijah Oguche, Abuja

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have condemned the worsening State of insecurity in the state resulting in continuing wanton killings of innocent citizens, the latest of which occurred in Otukpo-Nobi, in the Benue-South Senatorial District.

They called for change of governmental leadership in the state owing to the manifest inability of Governor Hyacinth Alia to muster a serious challenge against the situation.

Speaking in Abuja while answering questions on “One Benue, One Direction Hang Out with Journalists”, A Chieftain of the APC, Hon.

Timothy Hembaor, lamented that insecurity in Benue is spiralling out of control because Governor Alia has failed to even accept that there are killings in the state, talk more of finding solutions to the crisis.

Hembaor lamented that Governor Alia had repealed the the Anti Grazing law that was in place before his elections, confiscating enforcement vehicles and converting them for commercial transportation purposes.

“We are an agricultural state. How are we going to support our farmers to turn from partisanship to become extension agricultural farmers? Is the present government willing to support farmers? Is our land safe? I tell you it is not. The Alia administration is not going about the issue of security with sincerity.

“Hostilities against our people now have grown many times more than what obtained prior to Alia becoming Governor, and it is getting worse, with the potential of going completely out of control should he be re-elected to a second term as Governor” he stated.

Also speaking, APC Legal Adviser in the Benue-South (Zone C) Barr. Napoleon Otache, lamented that the entire Zone C is under siege by Fulani herdsmen, kidnappers and bandits.

“There are active threats going on in all parts of Zone C from terrorists. Governor Alia refers to them as foreigners, so I agree. But they pose a very latent threat of terrorism, yet the governor does not treat it as such. As big an urban centre as Otukpo is, once it is 4 p.m. the town shuts down.

“The economy is crippled. People no longer go to farm in Otukpo and environs. You stay at home and wait for the worst that could happen. You can be in your house and still be killed” he lamented.

Barr. Otache criticized the governor as not showing commitment or readiness to protect lives and property in the state, noting that it is becoming obvious he lacks ideas on how to deal with the situation that has put the state under siege, pushing her citizens into poverty and hopelessness.

Calling in on the programme from Makurdi, Comrade Adams A. said to rescue Benue from the hands of insecurity, the current leadership of the state must be changed.

He explained that Governor Alia does not believe he has a security crisis, “he has denied it many times openly, while people are dying and displaced from their homes on a daily basis all over the state, so how can he proffer solutions to what he does not think exist” Adams questioned.

Stakeholders who spoke on the programme believe that the insecurity in the Benue state will get worse if the Governor Alia is re elected to a second term of office.

The Police Command in Kogi has launched a manhunt for gunmen who abducted six persons during the ongoing NECO examination at a school in Dekina Local Government Area on Tuesday.

The six persons abducted include four students, the school principal and a NECO ad-hoc staff.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Afusat Saliu, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja.

Saliu said that the incident occurred at about 5; 25p.m., while students were still writing their NECO examination.

She said that a combined team of police and other security agencies immediately swung into action and were currently on the trail of the assailants.

“So far, one of the abducted students has been rescued. Efforts are ongoing to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” she said.

The PPRO added that the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Naziru Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander, 12 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, the Security Adviser to the governor, retired Cdr Jerry Omadara were currently en route to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

She assured parents and residents that every necessary resource had been deployed to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.

She said that a more detailed statement would be issued as soon as additional verified information was available.

Kano NSCDC Trains 250 Personnel on Intelligence Gathering, Report Writing

The Kano State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has trained 250 personnel on intelligence gathering and report writing to enhance professionalism and operational efficiency.

The one-day training workshop was organised on Tuesday in Kano by the Command’s Intelligence and Investigation Department.

Speaking at the event, the State Commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, said the training was designed to equip personnel with the knowledge and skills required to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

He said the workshop focused on improving intelligence gathering, understanding the legal framework guiding security operations and ensuring that officers upheld justice and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“The purpose of this training is to ensure that our personnel are properly equipped to carry out their various duties, especially in intelligence gathering.

“It is also to enable them to understand the laws guiding their operations, know what is right, what to do and what not to do, while adding value to their professional competence,” he said.

Hassan-Agalama said 250 personnel participated in the first batch of the training, adding that additional batches would be organised to accommodate officers who could not attend due to operational commitments.

He urged participants to cascade the knowledge acquired to officers under their supervision to ensure uniformity in operational standards across the command.

The commandant also advised personnel to apply the lessons learnt in carrying out investigations, handling arrests, invitations and dispute resolution in accordance with the law.

He stressed the need for officers to maintain professionalism, avoid actions that could infringe on citizens’ rights and allow matters that could not be resolved through mediation to follow due legal process.

Hassan-Agalama reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting national critical assets and infrastructure through intelligence-led operations.

He said the NSCDC would continue to work in synergy with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security organisations to improve security across the state.

The commandant commended the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr Abubakar Audi, for his unwavering support towards personnel development and capacity building.

SC Abdulganiyu Muhammad, the Head of investigation, presented papers titled “Fundamentals of Intelligence Gathering” and “Intelligence Analysis”

Also, ASC Jamilu Ali-Gaya, an Investigation Officer, presented a paper titled” Sources and Methods of Collecting Intelligence”, ACC M S Abdulkadir, presented a paper titled” Principles of Report Writing and Practical Report Writing Exercise”.

The Head of Legal Unit, Muhammad Aliyu, who presented a paper titled “Ethics and Legal Considerations” described the training as timely.(NAN)

By Attah Ede, Makurdi

Fresh violence erupted in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State yesterday as gunmen suspected to be armed Fulani herders attacked Ondo community in Ugboju District, killing the community’s Youth Chairman, Sunday Ogoh, and injuring several others, barely 48 hours after coordinated attacks in nearby communities claimed 18 lives.

The latest assault, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, has heightened fears among residents, with reports indicating that repeated attacks have forced many communities in Ugboju District to flee their homes.

Benue State Police Command confirmed that the attackers invaded Ondo community at about 6:10 a.m., killing Ogoh, while the Ward Head of the community and several other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, said tactical police teams, other security agencies, vigilante groups and civil protection personnel had been deployed to the area and were combing nearby forests in a bid to track down the attackers.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the attack, saying security operatives swiftly responded and repelled the assailants before the violence could spread.

According to him, the situation has since been brought under control, with security forces maintaining a strong presence in the area.

The renewed attack came just two days after suspected armed herders invaded Akpachi village and Otukpo-Nobi community, also in Ugboju District, where at least 18 people were killed and scores injured in one of the deadliest attacks recorded in the area in recent times.

Amid growing concerns over the worsening security situation, Governor Hyacinth Alia on Tuesday visited Otukpo to commiserate with victims and families affected by the attacks.

The governor first visited the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, where survivors receiving treatment were assured that the state government would bear the cost of their medical care until full recovery.

Addressing victims, community leaders and grieving families, Alia described the killings as painful and unfortunate, expressing the condolences of the government and people of Benue State to those who lost loved ones.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that his government had continued to provide logistics and operational support to security agencies to strengthen efforts against armed groups terrorising the state.

The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies, saying community cooperation was critical to preventing future attacks.

At the palace of the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, Alia assured the traditional institution and the Idoma people that his administration would not relent until lasting peace returned to every part of the state.

“It is my duty to protect every life in Benue. We will not rest on our oars until terrorists are flushed out and peace is fully restored to our communities,” the governor said.

Residents welcomed the governor’s visit, describing it as a timely demonstration of empathy and solidarity as communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of recurring attacks.