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The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, said plans are underway to launch a local security outfit before the end of May to boost the security architecture of the country.
However, a group, Defenders of Democracy, expressed reservations about Alia’s move to form another security outfit, describing it as an ‘unnecessary duplication and waste of taxpayers’ money.’
The government has commence recruitment plans of 10,000 youths to complement the conventional security agencies in tackling security challenges bedevilling the state.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the Government House, Makurdi, , Governor Alia said, ‘The launch of the state-owned security outfit would aid in securing Benue communities and enabling farmers to access their farmlands without fear.
“My administration is already working towards procuring Hilux vans and motorcycles that will be used by the security outfit to access the nooks and crannies of the state.”
The governor told the stakeholders that some enemies of the state had gone to invite gunmen to destabilise the peace of the state.
He listed the local government areas worst hit as Kwande, Ukum, Logo, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Apa and Agatu.
The group, in a statement by its president, Amos Uchiv, said, “We find such a move as poorly conceived, unnecessary and a waste of state resources. We suspect that Governor Alia is planning to recruit people and give them official status to go after his political opponents.
“It is important to note that Benue State already has a legitimate security apparatus in place, known as the Community Volunteer Guards, who were recruited in accordance with the law enacted by the State House of Assembly.”
