Gov. Hyacinth Alia on Saturday launched a 5000-personnel new security outfit known as the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG).Alia also unveiled a Joint Security Task Force named “Operation Anyam Nyor” to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the state.The governor during the ceremony in Makurdi announced the donation of 100 Hilux security vans and 600 special combatant motorcycles for their effective operations.

He assured Benue citizens that security remained his top priority, adding that the stability of a community forms the bedrock for meaningful and sustainable development. Alia stated that the state made strategic investments aimed at fortifying the capacity of security agencies.According to him, the goal was to decisively combat criminality and create an environment where people can live, farm, work, and thrive without fear.He said the BSCPG was established by law to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in the state by way of synergising and comparing notes on security challenges.Alia stated that an additional 5000 guards would be recruited in due course to bring the total to 10,000.“To further strengthen our security framework, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Operation “Anyam Nyor” Joint Security Task Force.“This operation represents the largest and most comprehensive security collaboration in the history of our dear state.“The operation has the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps working together.“They will deploy personnel across all local government areas in the state.“This joint effort will ensure that security concerns are not only addressed comprehensively but also decisively,” he said.The governor further commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to his administration, especially his security efforts.He also commended the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatyse, and the Catholic Bishop of the Katsina-Ala Diocese, Most Rev. Isaac Dugu, for their dedication to peace-building in the state.Alia further thanked the officers for responding to the call for service and urged them to always operate in accordance with their mandate.Earlier, the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Gombe, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, said all the 19 northern governors would support the Benue security project to succeed.Yahaya said the efforts of the Benue governor were in preparation for the coming of the state police and declared that Benue was a step ahead of other states of the federation.Also, the Tiv paramount ruler, Prof. James Ayatse, said the entire Benue traditional institution would support the security initiatives of the governor to succeed.Ayatse further warned that the recruitment of 5000 BSCPG was not for political reasons and charged the officers to operate within their set mandate. Our correspondent reports that other governors who attended the event were the governor of Yobe, Gov. Mai Buni; Kogi Deputy Governor, Mr Joel Salifu; and representatives of Nasarwa and Taraba governors.Report also says that the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, was also in attendance. (NAN) www.

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has directed all the Commissioners reassigned in the recent cabinet reshuffle to ensure a smooth handover and assumption of duty before the close of office hours on Tuesday.

Yusuf, who issued the directive through his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the cabinet changes would take full effect during the next meeting of the State Executive Council on Wednesday.

He emphasised the need for the completion of all the transition processes before then.

“All the commissioners affected by the changes are directed to hand over their responsibilities between Monday, 16th and Tuesday, 17th December 2024,” he said.

The governor urged the members of the state executive council to redouble their efforts and uphold a strong spirit of teamwork, dedication and commitment to supporting his administration in serving the people of the state.

( NAN)

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recorded a 12.8 per cent reduction in Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) between January and October 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, made this known in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

Mohammed said that the decrease was a testament to the FRSC’s commitment to improving road safety in Nigeria.

He highlighted the corps’ efforts to enhance road safety and reduce the number of crashes on Nigerian roads.

He said that the Corps had set an ambitious target to reduce road traffic deaths by five per cent every year, aligning with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

The FRSC boss said that the essence of statistics was to be able to improve adding that the Corps’ commitment to enhancing road safety underscored the FRSC’s dedication to protecting Nigerian lives on the roads.

“FRSC’s efforts to reduce road crashes are in line with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, which aimed to reduce road traffic fatalities by 50 percent by 2030.

“The number of crashes decreased from 8,654 in 2023 to 7,675 in 2024, representing a 12.8 per cent reduction.

“Also, between January and October 2023, the corps recorded 25,126 injuries and fatalities, while the same period in 2024 saw a decrease to 24,525, representing a 2.5 per cent reduction,”he said.

Mohammed said that the corps recorded an increase in deaths within the same period.

He attributed the increase in deaths to mass crashes.

He citied the Jigawa crash that claimed numerous lives and the Minna crash that claimed 50 lives saying that the Corps was working to ensure road traffic deaths were reduced to the barest minimum.

“Despite the challenges, I am optimistic about achieving the corps’ target of reducing road traffic deaths by five per cent annually because by 2030, we also want to have achieved 50 per cent reduction in line with UN decade of action,”he said.

The corps marshal explained that the FRSC was working to improve its strategies, particularly during the end-of-year patrol, to achieve the desired reduction in road crashes.

Mohammed also emphasised the importance of collaboration between the FRSC, other stakeholders, and the public in achieving the goal of reducing road crashes.

He urged Nigerians to support the FRSC’s efforts by adhering to traffic rules and regulations, avoiding reckless driving, and reporting any traffic-related incidents to the corps.

” We understand that there is the need for increase public awareness and education on road safety and the Corps is embarking on massive press conferences and town hall meetings to reach the grassroots level,”he assured.

Mohammed maintained that the FRSC would continue to engage in public enlightenment campaigns to educate motorists and other road users on the importance of road safety.

“When we work together, I believe that Nigeria can achieve a significant reduction in road crashes and make its roads safer for all users,”he said.(NAN)