Stakeholders urge Ortom to address insecurity in Benue South

BENUE

State Governor Samuel Ortom has been urged to decisively address the issue of insecurity in Benue South Senatorial District.

Stakeholders of the district made the call on Wednesday at the Government House, Makurdi, after a meeting called by the governor to discuss issues of insecurity confronting the zone.

As part of the resolutions they reached at the meeting, the stakeholders lamented that most of the security challenges in the district were occasioned by youths who are empowered by some individuals in society.

However, they lauded Governor Ortom for charting a course for peace and development of the area and Benue at large.

The resolutions read in part: “The state government should establish a security post in Agila, Ado Council, to help in resolving the boundary issues in the area.

“The people of Benue South Senatorial District should unite and support security agencies in ensuring safety of lives and property in the area. Security agencies in the state should ensure diligent prosecution of suspects and their sponsors in line with law.”

Also, security agencies were advised to live up to the task of restricting inter- state travels to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID- 19).

“Further steps should be taken to reposition vigilance groups with the inauguration of the Community Policing Advisory Council by the governor to complement conventional security agencies,” they added.

The stakeholders unanimously agreed to support the Anti- Open Grazing Law, particularly in Benue South and charged security agencies to deal decisively with anyone violating the law.

“The Benue Anti- Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law should be enforced with greater vigour in Benue South. “Boundary issues in Taraku and Otukpo should be resolved as a matter of urgency, and kidnapping in Adum and Ito be checked.”