By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
The security architecture in Benue State is being reworked to thoroughly fight –and possibly terminate –terrorism and other crimes, which have jointly claimed several lives recently and led to destruction of properties estimated at millions of Naira.
In this wise, the Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Makurdi, Maj. Gen. M.K Gara has sought collaboration with the police and other security agencies in the state.
The Commander said this during a courtesy visit to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 4, Makurdi, Zacharia F. Achinyan.
During the visit, Maj. Gen. Gara acknowledged the importance of the Police in upholding law and order within the state and country, urging them to maintain the standard.
He assured of his willingness to maintain strong collaboration with the police whenever the situation called for it.
Responding, the AIG appreciated the Commander for his willingness to collaborate with the police towards improving the security situation in the state.
The AIG also expressed his commitment to fighting crime and willingness to collaborate with all security agencies.
Meanwhile, the State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has debunked an allegation that he was involved in a N300 billion mission with some Fulanis to launder his image over the incessant killings by suspected Fulani herders in the State.
Alia,who dismissed the report as false, said there was no such conspiracy between him and any ethnicity or groups, including Fulani leaders, as peddled by those he described as faceless agents of destabilization.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Tersoo Kula revealed that the Governor was abroad not to launder his image, as claimed, but to honour an invite by Harvard University’s Department of African and African-American Studies to present a paper on the topic ‘Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria’ during a seminar under the theme: ‘Nigeria in the World’.
The Governor’s spokesman described the allegation as “fabricated, pernicious and dangerously irresponsible statement being circulated under the title ‘Benue Killings: Fulanis, Gov Alia Raise N300 Billion to Launder Image Abroad’, signed by one Dennis Agema and Oliver Omenka, claiming to represent a so called group known as Network for Transparent Governance.”
The publication, the spokesman noted, was a “disgraceful tissue of lies, a campaign of deliberate misinformation, and a cowardly attempt to malign the integrity and noble efforts of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.”
The statement further revealed that Gov. Alia, like any other governor, is the chief marketer of his state, pointing out that he has not been found wanting as he always “sells the state’s potentialities everywhere he finds himself and at any opportunity.”
The statement added: “His visit to the United States also encompasses diplomatic engagements aimed at attracting partnerships, drawing attention to the plight of victims of terrorist attacks on the natives in Benue, and to seek sustainable solutions to the long-standing security challenges affecting the state.
“It is on record that Governor Alia has remained one of the most vocal, pragmatic, and committed leaders in the fight against insecurity, including the violent attacks by criminal elements, irrespective of their identity.”
He insisted that the mention of “a fabricated figure” of N300 billion was not only ludicrous but also a desperate attempt to stir ethnic tensions and discredit “the Governor’s conceivable reputation, both locally and internationally.”
“These shadowy composers seek to weaponize disinformation, distort facts, and incite public anger based on fiction and falsehood.
“We challenge these third columnists to provide even a shred of reliable evidence for their claims with dates, documents, venues, or witnesses to support this baseless accusation. They will fail because no such scandal exists.
“Governor Alia remains a committed servant-leader, a priest of accord, and a patriotic Nigerian who has never compromised the welfare or dignity of the Benue people.
“His administration has taken concrete steps in improving the security architecture of the state, facilitating the return of displaced people, and engaging constructively with all stakeholders for truce and justice.”
Kula noted that no amount of blackmail, propaganda, or ethnic scapegoating would deter Gov. Alia from fulfilling his mandate to the people of Benue State.
The media aide believed that the coordinated media attacks only exposed the desperation of failed politicians and rogue actors who cannot stand the Governor’s rising profile and his steady record of responsible leadership.
He called on “well-meaning Nigerians, the diplomatic community, and media practitioners to disregard this toxic and misleading publication for what it truly is: a dangerous distraction manufactured by enemies of progress.”
Kula also warned informed that the state Government reserved the right to take legal actions against those who seek to destroy reputations through malicious falsehood, libel and incitement.
