Benue Under Siege, Says Alia

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia said yesterday that the state is under security siege.

He called on people to report any suspicious move to security agencies.

He spoke while while addressing the congregation after Mass at Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi.

He said security is the prerogative of all people and Benue people have a duty to rise against invaders by being vigilant and reporting any negative move they hear to security personnel.

Alia, who on Saturday called for full federal assistant to enable the state battle the invaders, said: “If you hear something, say something, it will enable the security agents to move out there and repel the invaders”.

The governor continued that Benue State was under attack and those who were attacking the state have a face and a mission to occupy the land, an act he noted was extremely unacceptable.

“We are under siege as a state, we are under attack, and those who are attacking us must have a face, must have an aim, and must have a drive. They come, they drag people out, they kill to occupy. This is extremely unacceptable”.

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He warned politicians who have taken advantage of the security situation to desist, saying it was not the time to do so.

“I invite you politicians to stay clear. Don’t be part of those who are attacking us. We have some machinery in place to dig deeper to let us know who is a culprit, who is involved in the destruction of our state.”

The governor condemned all forms of criminality, saying it will never be condoned in Benue State and anywhere at all.

“A terrorist is a terrorist irrespective of his ethnicity or his religion. Criminality is criminality period! So whoever commits it is a terrorist and he should not be where the living are”, the governor frowns.

He advised Benue people not to be weighed down, promising to continue to go to every length and every strain to ensure that they experience peace.

Governor Alia said, the death and resurrection of Christ, to mark the celebration of Easter, worldwide, demonstrates selfless sacrifices, calling on Benue people to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of those who died in the Holy Week, especially those innocent people who were gruesomely murdered in Ukum, and Logo Local Government Areas.