Afrigather 
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has known as on the Nigerian Military to deploy infantry troopers to the state to examine the killing of farmers by suspected herders.
He additionally sought the institution of a battalion at Ugbema and 7 ahead working bases in Guma, Brand, Ukum, and Kwande Native Authorities Areas to boost response.
Alia spoke on Tuesday throughout a courtesy go to to the Chief of Military Employees, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on the Military Headquarters, Abuja.
He stated whereas the present deployment ensures security on the highways, killings proceed within the hinterland, depriving farmers of entry to fertile land for agricultural actions.
The governor famous, “We admire the efforts of the Nigerian Military in holding peace within the Benue Valley. Benue is an agrarian state and farming is our principal occupation. Nonetheless, essentially the most fertile components of the Benue Valley inside the state are staying inaccessible to farmers as a result of threats of bandits and violence from armed herders.
“Now that’s it, two to 5 or extra persons are killed each week on account of violence from these gangs and teams, which in a couple of variety of circumstances the media don’t seize, the 401 Particular Drive Brigade try their finest however their deployment stays on the principle roads variety of occasions whereas killings proceed to happen within the hinterland.
“My prayer to you is for ahead working bases to be established in Anyiin in Brand Native Authorities Space, Zaki-Biam in Ukum Native Authorities Space, Udei and Gbajimba in Guma Native Authorities Space, Naka in Gwer West Native Authorities Space, Pontar in Konshisha Native Authorities Space and Adikpo in Kwande Native Authorities Space.
“Within the rapid time period, whereas hoping {that a} full-fledged battalion might be established at Ugbema within the midterm, our second prayer is for the 401 Particular Drive Brigade and Operation Whilr Stroke to be supplied with further manpower/patrol autos to enhance their attain.
“As a authorities, we’re prepared to supply you some shelters for the ahead working bases and a few logistics.
“We hope that though you might be stretched, you’ve made Benue fairly particular due to our uniqueness in crisis-ridden results and assaults we’ve been receiving.”
The governor famous that some native governments within the state additionally share a boundary with Cameroon, including that the invention of strong minerals within the LGAs may worsen insecurity within the areas.
“The invention of strong minerals in these areas and native governments is more likely to exacerbate the safety scenario in these areas. It’s due to this fact necessary that proactive steps be taken by establishing an infantry battalion to cowl the final space” he added.
COAS stated he has been reviewing the scenario in Benue and pledged to do what’s finest to revive peace to the Benue valley.
He promised to deploy extra troops and fight enablers to 104 ahead working bases, including that the institution of extra FOBs is topic to budgetary provisions.
He stated, “The Nigerian Military at the moment has over 100 ahead working bases and can’t afford to determine extra with out budgetary allocations. I urge the governor to supply infrastructure to allow the motion of troops and logistics to help our operations.”
