By Peter Duru The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, on Thursday declared the worsening insecurity in Benue State “unacceptable”, saying the violence had become a source of sleepless nights for residents and security agencies, as he announced a 14-day security operation to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints across the state. Speaking at a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Makurdi, the IGP said President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to ensure that the wave of killings and other violent crimes in the state was brought to an end. Describing Benue as a state once renowned for peace and hospitality, Disu lamented that it had been overtaken by violence fuelled by armed criminal herders, kidnappers, bandits, cultists and other criminal gangs, warning that the cycle of attacks and reprisals must stop. “The insecurity in Benue is unacceptable. It has become a source of sleepless nights for the people and security agencies. Mr. President has made it clear that this situation will no longer be tolerated,” he said. The police boss cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be recruited by politicians and other influential individuals to perpetrate violence, particularly during elections. “Young people often bear the greatest burden of these conflicts. Do not allow yourselves to be used as political thugs or agents of violence,” he warned. Disu also warned that only authorised security personnel were permitted to bear arms, stressing that the police would clamp down on illegal firearms and armed criminals. He disclosed that officers had been directed to act decisively in line with Force Order 237 whenever confronted by armed criminals, while assuring residents that complaints against erring police officers would be thoroughly investigated. The IGP urged traditional rulers, elders, religious leaders and community members to support security agencies with credible intelligence, promising to make Benue a regular destination until peace was restored. “The police belong to the people. We are here to serve, not to dominate. I will continue to visit Benue until lasting peace returns,” he stated. Also speaking, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force, Mr. Francis Iduh, announced that security agencies had identified 14 major flashpoints across the state for intensive operations. According to him, communities including Bajimba, Arufu, Agasha, Kwande, Agatu, Naka, Otukpo, Makurdi, Apa and other vulnerable areas would witness a 14-day stability and clearance operation aimed at reclaiming forests, farmlands and criminal hideouts. “If communities partner with us and provide credible intelligence, we will deal with criminals without criminalising law-abiding citizens,” Iduh said. Governor Hyacinth Alia, who welcomed the IGP and his delegation, described the visit as timely, noting that insecurity had continued to threaten lives, farming activities and the state’s position as Nigeria’s food basket. He said his administration had continued to support security agencies with operational vehicles, motorcycles, communication equipment and logistics, while pledging full backing for the planned security operation. Alia also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, arguing that officers familiar with the local terrain and communities would be more effective in tackling insecurity. “The debate should no longer be whether we need state police, but how it should operate,” the Governor said. The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, identified armed criminal herders, indigenous armed gangs, communal conflicts and cult groups as the major security threats confronting the state, alleging that some politicians might be benefiting from the insecurity and urging the police to investigate possible sponsors. He lamented that many communities had been displaced despite repeated intelligence reports warning of impending attacks and pledged the support of Benue people in restoring peace. Also speaking, the Benue State Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Garba Baba, said Muslims in the state remained committed to peaceful coexistence and supported the government’s efforts to end insecurity. Similarly, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Rev. Jonathan Terwase Ugbede, urged the police to respond promptly to security threats, especially those circulated on social media, and advocated sustained engagement with traditional rulers, youths and religious leaders to improve intelligence gathering. The meeting ended with a consensus among stakeholders that the security crisis in Benue had become multifaceted, involving armed herders, kidnappers, cultists, criminal gangs and alleged political interests, with participants agreeing that lasting peace could only be achieved through strong
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
