By Amos Aar
BENUE State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Monday said Benue State is no longer a dumping ground for bandits, armed robbers and kidnappers.
The governor stated this while reacting to the abduction of the state Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Abo Matthew, and former Chairman of Ukum LGA, Iorwashima Erukaa, during a reception organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his honour at IBB Square, Makurdi to celebrate his victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which delivered judgement last Saturday.
The governor, who noted that relative peace has returned to Benue since his inauguration on May 29, said he was making tireless efforts to return Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.
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The governor said: “We have challenges in few local governments, and believe me, we are going to fix that.
“For those of you who don’t want progress, listen to me and read my lips. Benue State is no longer what was happening before May 29. Benue State is not a dumping place for criminals, for bandits and for killers.
“For those who kidnapped the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, they have limited hours to bring that gentleman back. It happened just yesterday evening when the gentleman went back home. His local government is one of the troubled places.
“We are caging them in, for them to release the gentleman man and for them again to take note of this, this is not a dumping ground for anyone who does not want progress.
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“Our hospitality can never be turned into something else. We coexist, but at the same time, lines are drawn between the good and the evil and this is a strong message for them out there.
“On behalf of all the security apparatuses that we have in the state, let everyone be warned. Home grown terrorists, banditry, kidnappers, you have no window except room in Benue State, because you will be thrown out and taken care off appropriately. This message must get out there.”
