Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has called on traditional rulers and residents to step up efforts to tackle insecurity and illegal mining activities across the state.
Alia made the call during a town hall meeting in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, held as part of his statewide thank-you tour of federal constituencies.
The governor urged traditional rulers to strengthen community security by discouraging criminal activities and providing timely information on emerging threats.
He also cautioned residents against selling ancestral lands for illegal mining, particularly gold mining, warning that the practice was contributing to environmental degradation and insecurity in some communities.
Alia said the establishment of the Nigerian Army’s 5th Division in Benue, recently approved by President Bola Tinubu, would enhance security operations and improve the military’s presence across the state.
He disclosed that Army units would also be established in Adikpo and Anwase to strengthen security response.
The governor, however, stressed that military presence alone would not be enough, urging residents, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies.
He further announced plans to engage some of his opponents in the 2023 governorship election in a dialogue aimed at promoting peace and unity in Benue.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency endorsed Alia and President Tinubu for second terms, citing various appointments, development projects and other initiatives in the area.
