In a bid to combat the rising wave of terrorist attacks in the North-Central states of Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, and Niger, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has called on the people to unite and actively contribute to restoring peace to the region.
Governor Alia acknowledged that the incessant unprovoked attacks on farming communities in the four states have become distressingly common, necessitating a collective strategy and unwavering determination to confront and suppress the menace. Stressing the importance of securing the borders, he emphasized the need for stringent border control measures to curb the infiltration of terrorist elements.
The governor made this call during his visit to Jos, the capital of Plateau State, where he expressed his condolences to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and the people of Plateau State. His visit followed the recent vicious attacks on Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi, resulting in the tragic loss of over 200 lives on the Eve of the 2023 Christmas by armed bandits.
Notably, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, the chairman of the North-Central Governor’s Forum and governor of Nasarawa State, strongly condemned the actions of those targeting innocent people and engaging in indiscriminate killings. He stressed that these individuals should be classified as terrorists and treated accordingly. As a gesture of solidarity, Engr. Sule announced a donation of One Hundred Million Naira (₦100,000,000) from the four governors to support the affected families and communities.
Governor Mutfwang, the host governor, expressed gratitude to his fellow governors for their visit during this distressing time. He lamented that such visits from his colleagues always came in the context of grief and tragedy. Governor Mutfwang expressed his hope that the entire nation could converge on the Plateau someday for festivities rather than continued mourning.
The collective efforts of the governors and their commitment to providing support attest to the seriousness with which they are addressing this issue. With their unity and determination, there is hope that peace and security will be restored to the North-Central states, bringing an end to the senseless violence and bloodshed that has plagued the region.
