Governor Alia Calls for State Policing, Anti-Open Grazing to Tackle Insurgency
- Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, calls for the establishment of a state police force to tackle insecurity, citing the limitations of the centralised security structure.
- Governor Alia sends a powerful message to the federal government over the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law
- First Lady Oluremi Tinubu pledges ₦1 billion donation to support families displaced by suspected herders' attack in Benue State
Makurdi, Benue State - The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has called for the establishment of state police in Nigeria while receiving the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, July 29, during her condolence visit to the state.
Source: Facebook
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, Tersoo Kula.
According to the statement, the governor explained that the present centralised security structure has failed to properly address the lingering attacks and killings in parts of the country, particularly in Benue.
He emphasised the need for a regional approach to ranching, calling on the First Lady to champion the domestication of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law across the North-Central region.
He emphasised that a decentralised and locally controlled police force is critical to improving security response, intelligence gathering, and accountability in vulnerable communities.
“The current security architecture has not proven sufficient in curbing the incessant attacks on our communities.
“It is time for Nigeria to embrace State Police as a practical and necessary step towards securing lives, property, and peace across the nation,” Alia emphasised
The First Lady pledged a donation of ₦1 billion by the Renewed Hope Initiative to support families displaced by a suspected herder’s attack in Benue State.
She announced this at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue State Government House during her condolence visit to the state, following the attack in the Yelewata community in June, which claimed over 100 lives.
According to her, the donation, aligned with the mission of the RHI, intended to help displaced families regain stability, return to their livelihoods, and build better lives.
President Bola Tinubu's visit to Benue
President Bola Tinubu also visited Benue state on June 18 after the killings of Yalewata residents to console the victims of the attack.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of the state declared a public holiday ahead of the president's visit. This was to allow the residents of the state to participate in and witness Tinubu's intervention in the state.
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Tinubu condemns killings in Benue
Legit.ng previously reported that President Tinubu condemned the ongoing violence in Benue state and called on all leaders and residents to embrace peace, love, and mutual understanding. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to all those who have suffered losses as a result of the crisis.
According to his itinerary released over the weekend, President Tinubu was scheduled to visit Kaduna state on Wednesday, June 18, to commission various state government projects. However, the official visit was moved to Thursday, June 19, 2025.
The herders insist that the lands are grazing routes that were first backed by law in 1965, five years after the country gained its independence.
Governor Alia reacts to the killings
Legit.ng also reported that Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue condemned "in strong terms" the attacks and massacre of innocent citizens at Yelewata by suspected criminal herders.
According to a statement by Tersoo Kula, Alia's chief press secretary (CPS), the governor asserted that nothing should warrant the taking of life.
Deputy Governor of the state, Barrister Sam Ode, who visited the scene of the heinous act earlier today, Sunday, June 15, on the directives of the governor, delivered the message.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
