Governor Alia renewed calls for state police as the IGP visited Benue and announced a 14-day security operation.
MAKURDI, BENUE STATE — Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to supporting security agencies while renewing his call for the establishment of state police, describing it as a critical step towards addressing Nigeria's persistent security challenges.
Governor Alia made the remarks on Thursday during a town hall meeting with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun's successor, Mr. Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who was in Makurdi on an operational assessment visit following renewed attacks in parts of the state.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth representatives and senior police officers to discuss practical measures aimed at restoring peace across Benue.
Governor Alia described the IGP's visit as timely, saying it demonstrated the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to strengthening security through closer collaboration with the state government and local communities.
He disclosed that the Benue State Government has consistently supported security agencies with operational vehicles, motorcycles, communication equipment and other logistics to improve security operations.
The governor also pledged full support for the proposed 14-day special security operation targeting identified flashpoints across the state.
Our administration remains committed to working with all security agencies to restore peace and protect the lives and livelihoods of our people, Alia said.
Reiterating his long-held position, the governor argued that Nigeria should move beyond debating whether state police is necessary and instead focus on implementing the system.
According to him, locally recruited officers with a better understanding of their communities and terrain would improve intelligence gathering, response times and overall policing effectiveness.
He also urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, describing security as a shared responsibility.
Governor Alia noted that despite the security challenges, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) had returned to their communities for the current farming season.
He assured that the state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, would continue supporting returning farmers to boost food production.
The governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government's support in addressing insecurity and praised the Benue State Commissioner of Police for strengthening grassroots community policing initiatives.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu said his visit followed the recent wave of violent attacks recorded in Benue State.
He assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force, working alongside other security agencies, was determined to end the violence.
According to the IGP, the town hall meeting was organised to gather practical ideas from stakeholders and strengthen cooperation between communities and security agencies.
He pledged to continue operational visits to Benue until significant progress is achieved.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Mobile Police Force, AIG Francis Iduh, disclosed that police authorities had already identified troubled communities for the planned 14-day special operation.\
He appealed to the Benue State Government and residents to support the operation with timely intelligence and cooperation.
The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, identified armed herders' attacks, indigenous criminal groups, cultism, border disputes and political thuggery as key drivers of insecurity in Benue.
He assured the police of the traditional institution's support in efforts to restore peace.
Similarly, the Och'Idoma, His Royal Majesty Dr. John Elaigwu Odogbo, urged security agencies to remain committed and impartial in tackling insecurity.
The Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State Chapter, Pastor Jonathan Ugbede, advocated sustained dialogue between communities and security agencies to improve intelligence gathering.
The Chairman of Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Benue, Alhaji Garba Baba, pledged the Muslim community's support for genuine peace initiatives, while the Governor's Senior Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation and Illegal Levies, Terver Gbenda, assured that Benue youths would continue partnering with security agencies to promote peace.
The IGP's visit comes at a time when Benue continues to face repeated attacks that have displaced thousands of residents and disrupted farming activities across several local government areas.
While the proposed 14-day security operation represents an immediate response to the current security situation, Governor Alia's renewed advocacy for state policing reflects a broader national conversation about restructuring Nigeria's security architecture.
Whether through increased federal deployments, improved intelligence sharing or future constitutional reforms, stakeholders agree that sustained collaboration between government, security agencies and local communities will be essential to restoring lasting peace in Benue and the wider Middle Belt.
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