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Insecurity: Benue Gov, opposition party trade words over killings

Benue State Government and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state are currently trading words
over the prevailing insecurity in the state.

PDP in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, accused the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia of keeping mute over the activities of terrorists.

It added that Governor Alia had been aiding and abetting crimes in the state.

Iortyom said, “Over 24 hours after reports emerged that suspected Fulani herdsmen laid siege on the Makurdi – Naka Road and killed scores of travelers, Governor Alia, is yet to react to the incident.

“This silence of the governor follows a trend of his attitude regarding such incidents in the state since he came to office, with his media handlers suggesting his approach to tackling insecurity will be devoid of what they term as the “propaganda” deployed by immediate past Governor Samuel Ortom.

While the party expressed deep concern on how the governor intended to root out terrorists without condemning their crimes publicly, Iortyom recalled that the past governor, Samuel Ortom was consistent in calling public attention to the scourge of herdsmen killings and destruction in the state.

But in a swift response, the Security Adviser to the governor, Joseph Har berated the opposition party for creating falsehood over the Benue Links attacks.

Har stated that even though the governor was away at the time of the incident, he (the governor) directed him to promptly visit the Benue Links headquarters to commiserate with the management and to get details of the incident.

He said, “The general manager of Benue Links, Mr Faanafa confirmed the incident but refuted the claims by Mr Bemgba as not only false but malicious against the honest and transparent government of HE Rev Fr Hycinth Iormem Alia.”

He acknowledged that one person was killed during the attack, others sustained injuries and some were not seen at the time of the visit.

The Security Adviser further said his visit on the directive of the governor to the scene of the incident and paramount ruler of Naka, Chief Daniel Abomtse afforded him to get first-hand information on the issue.

Har, who advised the opposition to criticise constructively, reiterated the stand of Alia to deal ruthlessly with criminals in the state.

He stated, “The governor who was represented by the Security Adviser, Joseph Har assured of the governor’s resolve to end criminality and warned perpetrators not to take the government’s quest for peace as a sign of weakness.

“This government has the capacity to ruthlessly deal with and take head-on on criminals.”

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