The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, has said that no member of the state security operatives codenamed State Civil Protection Guards was killed in Naka last week.
Three personnel of the State Civil Protection Guards were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in Naka, Gwer West LGA of the state which later sparked violent protest leading to the burning of the local government secretariat, the palace of Ter Nagi and other individuals’ properties.
The local government chairman of the council, Victor Ormin and the paramount ruler of Naka, His Royal Highness, Daniel Abomtse had identified the victims of the armed herders as members of the State Protection Guards.
Putting the record straight, the security adviser said that no member of the state security operatives was killed.
He said “This is not true. No member of CPG was killed, so if a group decided for political reasons or for criminal reasons, to go and burn down a local government secretariat and other places, it is condemnable.
“While we sympathize with those affected, I want to state here that they didn’t do that because CPG members were killed. No CPG member was killed. Everyone is intact. No member of the CPG is allowed to go for an attack except with operation orders. No such orders were given to anybody and no attack was done by the CPG let alone that they were killed.”
He explained that the CPG is concerned with the protection of lives and property and they are going to be working in conjunction with the conventional security.
Har explained that the mandate of the CPG as first responders is to raise a flag and the conventional security, in synergy, will help to neutralize or defeat the enemy.
He however appealed to people of the state members to repose their confidence in security operatives.
Also speaking, the Commander of Benue State Civil Protection Guards, Capt Ayuma Ajobi (rtd) said “Concerning the alleged killing of CPG members, I want to make it categorically clear that, it is not true.
“Whoever is peddling such rumours or information is wronged because he didn’t consult us as authority to brief him adequately.
“I am the accounting officer of my men and I know the number of men under my command. I know them by their names. They are under my authority and anytime they are going out for operation, they are given an operation order.
“The people mentioned are not part of us and they went for the operation on their own. None of my men followed them on that operation.
“So, I want to refute that allegation that those killed are our men. Those who died are Terfa Agbe, Ikyange Ayua and somebody called Ushiri. I have cross-checked my nominal roll, list of people under my command and they do not exist. They are not my men, I don’t know them. All I can say is that they are local youths of that community,” he explained.
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