Benue State has witnessed political and tribal/ethnic crises, political assassinations and kidnapping/abduction in different parts of the state.
There are cases of armed robbery here and there, human trafficking, and conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farmers. Every Sector of the economy is disrupted in one way or the other by the continued insecurity in the state.
The governor today, visited the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja at Army Headquarters, Abuja, in a bid to advocate for the establishment of additional Forward Operations Bases (FOB) and an additional Battalion in the State to curtail security challenges orchestrated by bandits and Armed herders.
Governor Hyacinth Alia said lives and property have been lost, especially in the hinterland through the atrocious activities of bandits, herders and other armed groups.
He revealed that there is an increase in security threats having discovered a solid mineral in some local government areas, sharing borders with states like Nasarawa and Others.
He noted that efforts by the government and other concerned bodies to reduce insecurity have not yielded positive results, hence, called on the Nigerian army to increase its FOB across the state to ensure peace and security in trouble-prone areas.
Governor Alia commended the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, sister services and other security agencies for their sacrifices in combating security challenges, urging them not to relent.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in his remarks pledged Nigerian Army readiness to deploy more troops across the FOBs in Benue State to eradicate the criminal activities of bandits, and armed herders
According to the army Chief, the Nigerian Army is reviewing the activities and threat disposition in Benue, hence, the intervention becomes necessary due to the recalcitrance of Herders and Farmers, who incessantly attack each other and vulnerable communities in Benue and contiguous states.
General Lagbaja therefore assured that Combat enablers will be provided to enhance the capacity of the formation and units deployed in and around the state for effective operations, urged Benue people to support the army to bring lasting solutions to the insecurity bedevilling the state.