From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has raised the alarm over activities of illegal miners, lamenting that some communities are currently under siege in the state.This is as some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), also said on Sunday, that there was need for strong political will to tackle illegal mining in the country.

Alia raised the alarm while speaking at a thanksgiving service on Sunday in honour of the Permanent Secretary and Executive Secretary, Benue Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, which held at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Chichii – Gbatse in Vandeikya Local Government Area. He appealed to traditional rulers, the youth, and community leaders to assist the government in the fight against insecurity in the state. Alia added that, some communities in Benue State were still under siege but his government was not sleeping it would continue to explore every available means to ensure that absolute peace is restored in the state. “I urge traditional rulers, the youth, and community leaders to assist the government with useful information that will help her respond to the challenges of insecurity in the state effectively. “I am also appealing to the Tor Tiv and other traditional rulers to help me to work for you. An English man says information is key. If you hear something, say something”. “God has blessed our land with rich mineral resources including gold and lithium, the headquarters of all these mineral resources is in Kwande Local Government Area. Foreigners have also discovered this and they have come for mining. “I had earlier warned that nobody should go near any mining site. The Federal Government is in control of all these mineral resources but they are domiciled in our land, so if the federal government does not permit you, do not come to my place for mining.”I thank the people of the state, particularly Divine Mandate and other support groups for supporting my government and always standing up to speak in favour of my administration. I will continue to work for the interest of the general masses of Benue State,” Governor Alia said. He noted that the presence of Sir James Iorpuu in his government had added value to his administration in size and height, adding that Iorpuu has anchored emergency responses on behalf of the government of Benue State and he has been doing well. He thanked the Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse CFR and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-ala, Most Rev’d Isaac Dugu for the significant efforts they have been making to ensure that peace is returned in the state. “Security is the work of all of us. In Sankera where the Bishop has championed the cause, there are other brothers too who are assisting. There are certain places they have gone which I haven’t gone myself “My people, nobody will come from outside to help us fix our society. We are the ones to do it ourselves” he stated. Earlier, the Tor Tiv HRM Orchivirigh Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, said the Tiv people are being attacked from different corners, advising the Governor to rise up and put in more efforts to save his people. Also, the Bishop of Katsina-ala Diocese, Most Rev’d Isaac Dugu acknowledged the efforts of Governor Alia’s administration in bringing development into the state. He however added that the increased invasion of herdsmen in Benue communities is worrisome and requires urgent and serious attention. Sir James Iorpuu, who became the Permanent Secretary in Benue State civil service, bagged his PhD recently from Benue State University Makurdi. Alia Committed to Fighting Insecurity ­­- Kula In a similar development, the Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Sunday, said his principal’s administration is totally committed to addressing the lingering issue of insecurity in the state. He reiterated that the prevailing insecurity in the state constitutes a complex and deeply ingrained issue, that require a meticulous and multifaceted strategy to effectively address and resolve. Kula stated this while speaking as a guest Speaker at St. Stephen’s Parish, Lessel, Ushongo LGA, Benue State. According to him, Governor Alia is spearheading a robust effort to combat insecurity by partnering with United Nations (UN) agencies to offer rehabilitation and amnesty to former militants, stressing that the strategic initiative is targeting the underlying drivers of violence, aiming to restore lasting peace and stability in the state. He urged the Church to queue behind Gov. Alia’s dry season Farming initiative, aimed at boosting agricultural production and enhancing food security in the state. “Alia administration is investing in infrastructure development. The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) is set to construct the road from Tyo-Gbenda Msa to Lobi, which will improve access to markets and enhance economic opportunities for rural communities. “The governor is committed to inclusivity and good governance which is evident in the appointment of two commissioners from Ushongo and other key appointments. “On my capacity, I will seek the governor’s approval in constructing a motorized borehole and a befitting modern sanitary facility at St. Stephen’s Parish, Lessel,” Kula stated. He therefore advised christians to be practical in their faith, emulating the examples of their revered leaders and also called on the church to support the governor’s administration in prayers, against disgruntled elements working to frustrate the governor in achieving a more secure, prosperous Benue State CSOs Seek Political Will to Tackle Illegal Mining Meanwhile, some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), said there is a need for strong political will to tackle illegal mining in Nigeria.In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, the CSOs warned that illegal mining would persist if the political will to address it remains weak.They noted that even though the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 prohibit unauthorised exploration or exploitation of mineral resources, political will was needed to fully implement it.The Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor, said, to address the malaise, the government must be committed to enforcing compliance with the Mining Act.”There are clear provisions in Nigeria’s Mining Act that prescribe how to address illegal mining in the country. The real issue, however, is the political will to enforce the laws from state to federal levels.”As was revealed recently by Senator Adams Oshiomole, the illegality in the sector thrives because of the alleged big men behind it.”He had alleged that retired military officers are involved. We might also want to expand that to include traditional rulers and other unpatriotic elements in government and in the communities where the mining activities take place.”Of recent, some Chinese nationals have also been implicated in the thriving illegal business,” he said.According to Jakpor, such acts cannot be carried out without collaborators in government who benefit and turn a blind eye to them.He said the suspects should be named and arrested to deter others, promote sector growth, and ensure its significant contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) .Dr Abdullahi Jabi, Chairman of the North Central Zone for the Campaign for Democracy, Human Rights Advocacy, and Civil Society of Nigeria, described illegal mining as a complex challenge.Jabi said this was a result of factors such as the negligence of constitutional duties by political leaders and public officeholders.He expressed concern that the situation would continue to persist without the enforcement of a robust legal structure,and the implementation of strict measures to hold perpetrators accountable.Meanwhile, at the recent North East African Mineral Summit and Exhibition, an expert, Prof. Bashir Aliyu, noted that illegal miners, including undocumented immigrants, were extracting mineral resources without licences or adherence to regulations.Aliyu said that the unregulated activity was depriving the government of revenue, damaging the environment, and endangering local communities.He urged stricter regulations and increased community involvement to safeguard mineral resources and combat illegal mining. Armed Herders Kill Six Farmers, Injure Several Others in Benue Community In another development, suspected armed herders have invaded Tse Ugema Chul, Mbakesa, Ugbaam community in Ukum Local Government area of Benue State, killing six farmers and injured unspecified number of people. Our correspondent gathered that five people were killed on Friday, while one person was killed on Saturday evening in the area with many others still missing. The attack, according to a source from one of the affected communities who spoke on condition of anonymity, happened when some cattle stray into farmlands and destroyed yams. He said the development angered some youths of the area, who mobilized and went after the cattle and the owners. “As the youths were going after the cattle, the armed herders who had laid ambushed, began to shoot sporadically thereby killing many of them. “So far, six dead bodies have been recovered as at yesterday, while many others are still missing . “When we got information about the attack, we quickly informed men of Nigeria Army who were stationed at a village called Wuaze, which is a few meters away from the scene of the attack. “We put phone calls to the soldiers as the attack was going on, but when the Army were approaching the scene of the attack, they discovered that presence of the herdsmen overwhelmed theirs. So the soldiers have to turn back to their camp,” the source narrated. Tse Ugema community is just a few kilometres to Zaki Biam International Yam Market in Ukum LGA. When contacted, the executive chairman, Ukum LGC, Mr. Jonathan Modi, confirmed the attack, saying he was on his way to the scene of the incidence.