Benue State’s Governor Hyacinth Alia has warned about plans by detractors to destabilise the state, employing armed herdsmen and terrorists from Niger Republic.
He said security reports unearthed the plot, but that his administration was on top of the situation and would frustrate the nefarious scheme.
According to a statement by his Principal Special Assistant on Print Media, Donald Kumun, the Governor said herdsmen who had invaded the state should return to wherever they came from.
The Governor, who spoke while attending service at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi, appealed to the people to remain calm, as the security agencies would ensure the safety of all and sundry.
Alia said: “I am quite saddened to speak about what some fellow Benue citizens are doing. What they are planting, planning, and executing, which is not in favour of the state.
“The security report has revealed that some Benue indigenes have gone out of their ways to invite herdsmen all the way from Niger Republic to troop into Benue State, all in the name of bringing down his administration and this is unacceptable, but the security agents are doing their work.
“Security apparatuses are doing their work and those who would be found guilty of this, will not go unpunished. This is not the Benue we pray for. Electioneering period is over and now is governance.”
He warned those with evil plans should leave.
He said: “Please, if you cannot join hands with this administration to improve the State, to bring development to the state, where everyone has a sense of belonging, should please leave the state.
” I assure the entire citizens that they should remain calm for my administration is not ready to welcome any crisis in the state. Crisis is not the portion of Benue state.
“Security agencies are ready to do everything possible for the people to have peace. The influx of Herders will not harm anyone but they will return gradually to where they have come from.
“The mischief makers who wrote a letter inviting herders to come to Benue State, will be disappointed. I stand on the platform of new Benue where development of both human and infrastructure development, is possible”.
The Governor thanked the Spiritual Director and Chaplaincy of Chapel of Grace, Government House Makurdi, Rev. Clement Ugo, and the people for supporting his administration through prayers.
