Benue security council okays establishment of homeland security
The Benue State Security Council has approved that a Bureau of Homeland Security be established in the state, to coordinate and liaise between the office of the governor and the security agencies, for immediate responses on security matters in Benue State.
Governor Hyacinth Alia stated this on Thursday after a joint security meeting, held at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Sam Ode, the governor, said the Security Council had agreed that the Bureau be headed by a Director General, appointed by the governor.
The Security Council directed that the curfew in the entire Sankera area of the state should continue, further placing a ban on protest in the entire axis until further notice.
According to the governor, the Council also agreed that a judicial panel of inquiry should be set up by the government to look into the destruction of government and private properties in Ukum, as a result of the recent protests in the area.
He frowned at the increasing number of illegal checkpoints in the state, urging all security agencies in the state to work together in synergy, so as to effectively combat crimes in Benue.
Gov Alia said the Benue State law against Matching Ground is still effective and operational and will soon be gazetted and made available to the public.
He directed the Special Adviser on Security to work in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, to organize a workshop and sensitize the people on the dangers of illicit drugs and human trafficking in the state.
