From Attah Ede, Makurdi  

Benue. State Government, on Wednesday, said it would on Thursday convoke a robust security dialogue with Myietti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), to address the influx of herds of Cattle into the state and equally find solutions to the unwarranted killings of people in the state.

The special adviser to Benue State Governor on internal security, Chief Joseph Har disclosed this to newsmen at his office in Makurdi, on the aftermath of their visit to the state house of assembly to provide explanation to the current security situation in state.

The State House of Assembly, had on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, summoned the security adviser to Governor Alia on internal security, chief Joseph Har and the adviser on security and strategies, Alexander Igbaya Ashungu, the Commander of Livestock Guards, and the Commander, of Benue Community volunteer Guards, where they were told to resign immediately if they cannot stop the influx of herdsmen and the currently ongoing within the state, in the next (7) seven days.

But chief Har insisted that matters concerning security can never be discussed in the open, saying that the office of the security advisers is doing a lot to ensure that Benue State is free from herdsmen attacks and unwarranted Killings.

He maintained that the government of  Rev. Fr. Alia is doing a lot in safeguarding the lives and property of the Benue indigenes and added that most of the efforts are security in nature and can’t be discussed in the open.

“Upon assumption of office, it was noticed that the challenges faced by the previous administration were the Killings of so many people as a result of the activities of the Livestock Guards who arrested cows and could not properly account for them leaving the people vulnerable to attacks”.

“We resolved that we will not be arresting cows and keeping them without water and proper food which left some of them dead and thereby creating an opportunity for the herders to go, killing innocent people in the villages and towns in the State.

“”Therefore, there is an ongoing effort of the government in training and profiling state security outfits to perform optimally and professionally. This is the reason why we are convening a meeting with the leadership and members of Myietti Allah to dialogue and see how the influx of cattle can be curtailed and bring to an end, the Killings in the State” .

“We have said at different fora that the anti-open grazing law is still in place and that anyone coming to Benue State to graze must be ready to ranch his cows”

“The members are seeing us as if we are not doing nothing but we have done so much in the state because of the fact that our governor is very passionate about the security and welfare of Benue citizens.

“Many people have been kidnapped and we were able to rescue them and also arrested some of the abductors who have been charged to court and sentenced to prison while others are still facing trials. You know that a security job is a thankless job and anybody can say whatever they want to say but we will continue to do our best”, Har stated.

On his part, the   adviser on security and strategies, col. Alexander Ashungu Igbaya, said they are doing everything possible to protect and enforce the Anti-open grazing law in the State.

He stressed that governor Alia has no intention whatsoever to repeal the law, stating that the governor made it abundantly clear recently that the anti-open grazing law is still fully in force.

According to him, the office of the special advisers on security has no intention to collude and compromise with anyone to kill Benue people and assured that they would continue to work with relevant security agencies to ensure that the people of the State enjoy maximum peace.