Killings: We’ve taken proactive steps to tackle insecurity — Benue govt

The Benue State Government says it has consistently taken bold and proactive steps to address the insecurity challenges confronting the state.

The Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, stated this on Tuesday in a statement issued to newsmen in Makurdi, in response to accusations made by former Commissioner for Education, Professor Dennis Ityavyar.

The former commissioner had accused Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of failing to improve the security situation in the state, claiming it had led to wanton destruction of property and loss of lives over the past two years.

But the Security Adviser listed several crime prevention strategies introduced by the Alia administration to combat persistent threats of banditry, armed herdsmen, communal clashes, and criminal gangs across the state.

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According to Har, Governor Alia initiated the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design strategy, which focuses on designing the environment in a manner that deters criminals by instilling fear of detection.

“This strategy, which enhances environmental surveillance, partially existed during the administration of Gabriel Suswam but became dormant after his tenure. It was revived under Rev. Fr. Alia, who has ensured the installation of powerful solar lights and trimming of overgrown trees—measures that have made nighttime driving so safe that people sometimes forget to turn on their headlights,” he said.

“This has significantly deterred and reduced cases of GSM and vehicle snatching in the state.”

He also mentioned Crime Prevention Through Social Development (CPTSD) as another strategy being implemented, which addresses the root causes of crime by focusing on social and economic factors that contribute to criminal behaviour.

“This includes creating job opportunities to take criminals off the streets, supporting school dropouts with skill acquisition programmes, and providing social amenities,” Har explained.

The security adviser noted that upon noticing gaps in the number of unprotected areas across the state, the present administration took the bull by the horns to strengthen Benue’s quasi-security agencies, while also harmonising efforts with conventional security forces for more robust engagements.

Har, who also doubles as the Deputy Protection General of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, said the Alia administration has also involved traditional rulers in crime prevention efforts.

“This administration has restored respect for traditional rulers and is working to reposition them to the status they deserve. In partnership with Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING), we organised a capacity-building workshop for traditional rulers in Benue on how to police their communities,” the statement read.

He further noted that the security situation in the state improved significantly after President Bola Tinubu visited following the gruesome killing of about 200 people in Yelwata. He added that Governor Alia’s administration has continued to strengthen collaboration among conventional security agencies.

The statement further read in parts:
“Part of the present administration’s efforts includes strengthening collaboration with federal security agencies, including Operation Whirl Stroke, to repel attacks and restore peace in troubled areas.

“We also established community policing initiatives and reformed vigilante operations to improve grassroots intelligence gathering and early response. Through an Act of the State Parliament, the Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards were merged to form the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, operating with robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)—a model many now refer to as the ‘Benue Model.’

“Timely support to displaced communities, including return strategies and food/security interventions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), has been a top priority. This has been evident in areas like Agatu, Kwande, Guma, and Makurdi, and should not have escaped the attention of the Professor.

“I challenge the Professor to name any instance in Benue where there was an attack and the governor did not respond—either personally, through the deputy governor, or through one of us, his security advisers. I suspect the Professor is unaware of the sustainable development efforts, such as the establishment of the mega IDP camp on Gbajimba Road and the distribution of farming inputs for small-scale agriculture.”

He also cited the deployment of modern surveillance tools starting in the state capital, along with the reinforcement of military presence—including the establishment of a Naval base, additional army battalions, and Mobile Police squadrons—efforts he said received wide media coverage.

“These interventions have reduced the frequency and scale of attacks in previously volatile local government areas such as Guma, Gwer West, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Ukum, Agatu, Makurdi, Apa, and Kwande,” Har said.

“Governor Alia’s administration is not claiming perfection, but the trajectory is clear: we are securing Benue with focus, determination, and sincerity of purpose.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE