Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace, declaring it ‘not optional’ but ‘most essential’ for the future citizens.
Speaking recently to mark the celebration of Benue at 50, Governor Alia explained that his administration’s reinforced collaboration with federal security agencies, community leaders, traditional institutions, and local peace-building initiatives is the bedrock of progress in the State’s drive to tackle insecurity.
He said “Security is the foundation of development.”
According to him, “Bearing this at the back of our minds, we have strengthened collaborations with Federal security agencies, Community leaders and traditional institutions, Local security and peace building initiatives.”
NewsQuest reports that Benue has long been a flashpoint for violent clashes between herders and predominantly Christian farmers, displacing thousands and crippling agriculture in what was once the nation’s food basket.
While Governor Alia acknowledged lingering challenges related to insecurity, he assured that the government was doing everything possible to ensure “farmers return safely to their farms and ancestral homes”; enable “communities to live without fear”; and transform Benue into “a land of peace, justice and coexistence.”
The Governor’s remarks come as banditry and communal violence surge across Nigeria, with the United Nations reporting over 1,600 deaths in Benue alone since 2018.
Critics, including rights groups, have urged faster action amid accusations of government’s inaction.
Stakeholders believe that Governor Alia’s recent tone however stricks an optimistic chord, positioning peace as a prerequisite for development in Benue rich in yams, cassava, and sesame production.
