Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has voiced concerns over the alleged importation of herdsmen from neighbouring countries, including the Niger Republic, with the aim of destabilising his administration.
Speaking at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi, on Sunday, the governor stated that some indigenes had been implicated in inviting herdsmen into the state.
According to a statement issued by the Principal Special Assistant on Print Media, Donald Kumun, and made available to journalists on Sunday evening, Alia appealed to the people to remain calm, assuring that the security agencies are committed to ensuring the safety of the people.
The governor revealed that those behind the influx of herdsmen had written letters inviting them to the state.
He stated that his administration would not tolerate any actions aimed at destabilising the peace and security of the state.
“I am quite saddened to speak about what some fellow Benue citizens are doing. What they are planting, planning, and executing is not in favour of the state.
“The security report has revealed that some Benue indigenes have gone out of their way to invite herdsmen all the way from Niger Republic to troop into Benue State.
“All in the name of bringing down his administration and this is unacceptable, but the security agents are doing their work.
“Security apparatuses are doing their work and those who would be found guilty of this, will not go unpunished. This is not the Benue we pray for. Electioneering period is over and now is governance,” the statement read in part.
Alia stated that the herdsmen who had come into the state would gradually return to where they came from.
He called on those who were not ready to join hands with his administration to improve on the development of the state to leave Benue state, saying, “Please if you cannot join hands with this administration to improve the state, to bring development to the state, where everyone has a sense of belonging, should please leave the state.
“I assure the entire citizens that they should remain calm for my administration is not ready to welcome any crisis in the state. Crisis is not the portion of Benue State.
“The mischief makers who wrote a letter inviting herders to come to Benue State will be disappointed. I stand on the platform of new Benue where development of both human and infrastructure development is possible.”
Governor Alia reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Benue State and called on all citizens to support his administration’s efforts in this regard.
He assured the people that those responsible for any wrongdoing would be held accountable.
