Alia meets new Benue CP, makes case for ‘improved community relations’

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, says Hassan Yabane, the new commissioner of police, should strive to provide adequate security in the state.

Alia spoke on Monday when he received Yabane at the government house in Makurdi, the state capital.

The governor said Benue has been plagued by herders and unknown gunmen’s attacks which have pushed many residents to displaced camps.

He expressed confidence that the commissioner of police is in the best position to comb the state and flush out criminals.

Alia also called for alertness and action from the police, particularly in Kwande, Katsina/Ala, Logo, Ukum, Guma, parts of Makurdi, Gwer west, Gwer east, Apa and Agatu LGAs, which he noted are most hit by insecurity.

While noting that Benue is not a complicated state, he added that some individuals have chosen to destabilise its peace process.

The governor said his administration is ready to partner with the police to provide adequate security in the state.

He urged the CP to ensure “there is improvement in community relations so that the police can interface and have a more personal and robust relationship with communities that are crisis-ridden”.

Speaker earlier, the CP said he would kickstart the process of crime mapping in the state which would help in recognising the flashpoints.

Yabane warned all criminal elements to relocate from the state or face the full wrath of the law, noting that he recognised the importance of Benue as the food basket of the nation.

He assured that the police would safeguard the lives and properties of the citizenry.