…says they must play active roles in combating crime, criminality

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has threatened to dethrone any traditional ruler in any part of the state found supporting and harbouring criminals in his domain.

The governor charged the royal fathers to give priority attention and play active roles in combating crimes and criminality in their various communities.

He sounded the warning at the reception to mark the one-year anniversary of the demise of the late Tor Sankera, HRH Chief Abu King Shuluwa (Tor Sankera I), and the derobing ceremony of HRH, Lady Elizabeth-Mary Shuluwa, held at the Mukurdi residence of the late monarch.

He urged stakeholders in Sankera to commence the process of selecting a successor to the throne, advising that “the new Tor Sankera must be a man of truth, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of his people.

He disclosed that he had already sent a request to the Tor Tiv, HRM, Prof. James Ayatse, on the matter and appealed to the monarch to expedite action on the selection process and ensure that a person of proven integrity with fresh ideas for the growth and development of the axis emerged as the new Tor Sankera.

The governor, who also assured of the commitment of his administration to tackling the lingering security challenges in Sankera and restoring peace in the area,

expressed gratitude to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala, the Most Rev’d Isaac Dugu, and the Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, for their relentless efforts in promoting peace in the area.

The Governor enjoined all traditional rulers to “play active roles in combating crime within your domain and communities, and anyone found supporting or sheltering criminals would face dethronement.”

Earlier in their separate remarks, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, LGA, Justin Shaku, and the House of Assembly member representing Katsina-Ala West Constituency, Peter Ipusu, lauded Governor Alia’s commitment to the well-being of the people of Sankera, assuring him of the community’s continued support for his administration.

Responding, wife of the late monarch, Lady Shuluwa, expressed gratitude to the people of the state for standing with the family in their moment of grief assuring that the gesture would not be taken for granted.