By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State is to convened a Security Summit to seek an end to the worsening insecurity in the state.

The Governor who made the disclosure weekend when he hosted the Advisory team sent by the Chief of Defence Staff to look into the security situation in the state, lamented that the state had faced increased attacks in recent times in specific Local Government Areas, LGAs.

He said: “Benue has experienced increased attacks in recent times and those are mostly coming from very specific local governments, and the heat of it all is Kwande, Ukum, Katsina-ala, Logo, and Gwer-West.

“I am aware that Benue State is not the only state that is affected by this but I want you to know that we have suffered quite intensely, and the Benue people in those local government areas have undergone what is beyond imagination.”

The Governor stated that the government had held series of meetings with the office of the Nigerian Security Adviser, adding that a committee was already working with the state and the private sector to have the security summit.

He also disclosed he had strengthened the Civil Protection Guards in the state to help and support the conventional security agencies to put an end to the killings and displacement of the people in the state stressing that “as I speak, we have a team that is working in conjunction with the state and private sector on having a Benue security summit. We want to hold that first and then I am already in talks with my colleague Governors in the North Central for us to hold a North Central Security Summit.”

The Governor Alia lauded the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa for his efforts in ensuring that peace returned to Benue State and urged the Advisory team to also visit neighbouring states like Taraba and Nasarawa.

“We share borders with our brothers here. I feel your visit should not just stop in Benue, let the Chief of Defence Staff extend this visit to our neighbouring states of Taraba and Nasarawa.”

The Governor also enjoined the team to publicize the names of those it identified as sponsors of militia activities in the state, stressing that something must be done immediately to restore peace in Benue.

Earlier, the leader of the team, Air Vice Marshal Emmanuel Oche (retd) disclosed that their visit had provided an opportunity for them to interact with relevant stakeholders, listen to them and come up with the best ways of ending worsening insecurity in the state

He stated that they had identified non kinetic approach as the best way of handling the issue in the state at a moment, suggesting that disarming, reintegration, and resettlement of militia gangs in some part of the state would go a long way in solving the security challenges in the state

The team earlier visited the Tor Tiv HRM Orchivirigh Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala Most Rev’d Isaac Dugu where they also got information about the security situation in the state.

The team was scheduled to also visit the Benue South District where they would interact with the Och’ Idoma, HRM Elaigwu Odogbo and other stakeholders in that part of the state.