The Benue State Government has restated its commitment to addressing insecurity through a mix of strategic interventions and enhanced collaboration with security agencies.
The assurance came in response to recent criticism from former Commissioner for Education, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, who accused Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of failing to curtail rising violence in the state.
In a statement issued Tuesday in Makurdi, the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, described the state’s approach as “bold and proactive,” emphasising that the government had taken deliberate steps to protect lives and property.
According to Har, the administration has revitalised the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design strategy, introducing measures such as solar street lighting and removal of visual obstructions to improve visibility and reduce crimes like vehicle and phone snatching.
He also highlighted the Crime Prevention through Social Development initiative, which targets the root causes of crime by creating employment, providing youth skills training, and improving public amenities.
Har further noted that the state had strengthened the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, partnered more effectively with federal forces like Operation Whirl Stroke, and reformed local vigilante groups to enhance intelligence gathering.
Traditional rulers, he said, have been empowered to contribute to community policing, while modern surveillance technology, new police squadrons, and a naval base have been deployed to tackle insecurity in hotspots such as Guma, Agatu, Ukum, and Katsina-Ala.
“We’re not claiming perfection,” Har said, “but the trajectory is clear — we are securing Benue with focus, determination, and sincerity of purpose.”
He challenged Prof. Ityavyar to provide specific instances where the government failed to respond to attacks, stressing Governor Alia’s consistent engagement with and support for affected communities.
