Insecurity: Gov Alia to convene North-Central Security Summit over killings in Benue

Benue State Governor Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia has reiterated the readiness of his administration to host the North Central Security Summit in the state to profer solution to the deteriorating security situation in the geo-political zone .

He made this known on Wednesday while declaring open the North Central Regional Consultation on the Harmonization of the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, DDR, Framework held in Makurdi.

Alia said peace could only be not be achieved through inclusion, dignity and justice and not through coercion.

He added that his administration is using religious and traditional rulers as moral authorities for peace mediation and has empowered the State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation to preserve institutional memories and ensure continuity in peace process.

The governor however called on National Security Adviser to adopt the Sankera Model of Peace Initiative, which his administration instituted and is being championed by the Bishop of Katsina Ala Diocese, Most Reverend Isaac Dugu towards achieving peace in the North Central Region.

“The Federal Government, development partners and other critical stakeholders must support the efforts of this administration to take all IDPs back to their ancestral homes.

“The IDP camps in seven local government areas of the state is a huge burden on the state government,” Alia said.

He thanked Office of the National Security Advisor and National Counterterrorism Center for selecting Benue State to host the workshop, which is expected to enable the people of the North Central Zone to build bridges of peace.

Governor Alia urged participants to come up with resolutions and solutions that would help in the fight against violence and terrorism.

Speaking, the National Security Advisor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Director Prevention and Counter Violent Extremism, Ambassador Mairo Musa, urged all stakeholders at the workshop to be open and sincere in their deliberations to achieve the set goals.

In their separate remarks, the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, as well as the Ochi Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Doctor John Elaigwu, said though peaceful coexistence was the desire of everyone, there was a need to forgive the criminal elements amongst the people, citing the case of the prodigal son in the Bible.

The royal fathers called for the involvement of traditional and religious leaders in the process of achieving peace while urging the leadership of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to fish out the criminal elements who he noted were killing, destroying and taking over the land from the original owners, saying any culture that would lead to destruction of lives and property of the people would not be acceptable.

Vice Chairman Middle Belt Council of Elders, Retired Major General Lawrence Onoja, stated that the land of Benue State belongs to its citizens.

He said any attempt to take it by force would be resisted, adding that the summit was a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment towards addressing security challenges in the country.

The National President, Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu called on government at all levels to show the locals how to defend themselves, arguing that until people were empowered to defend their land, insecurity would continue to worsen in the country.

The President General, Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Usman, represented by Alhaji Adamu Toru, called for the modernization of the cattle business, even as he noted that it was criminal elements amongst them that were killing the people across the country and promised to support the peace initiative.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Barrister Mrs Serumun Aber, noted that for any solution to be effective, it must reflect the experiences, realities and aspirations of the people who were affected by the situation.

Insecurity: Gov Alia to convene North-Central Security Summit over killings in Benue